If you’ve ever had to say goodbye to someone, you treasure the last words spoken. You remember what was said. You hold on to those final words. For Lent in 2021, we are focusing on the last words of Jesus from the cross. What did he say? What does it mean for us? How do those words change us? This week, we focus on the word “salvation”. A thief on the cross called to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) Jesus replied with a word of salvation, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Invitation Prayer
Lord, I have a one word prayer today: Help! You are the Savior of those in desperation. What else can I say? I cannot get out of this. I have no answers. I don’t know what to do, even in the next moment. All I have is a child’s call: Help! Amen.
Confession
O God of salvation, have mercy on me, according to your steadfast love.
At discouragement, I lose heart. Give me patience and a steadfast heart.
At success, I want more. Give me gratitude and contentment.
At pain, I flee. Give me courage and fortitude.
At temptation, I give in. Give me faithful endurance.
At criticism, I get angry. Give me humility and growth.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.
Word: Revelation 7:10
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Meditation
We believe that we have salvation in Jesus Christ. We confess that Jesus won deliverance from sin and death. But we have yet to see salvation’s fullness. We witness suffering, evil, and death every day. You might ask, “Where is the salvation that God promised?”
Revelation 7:10 is a picture of salvation’s final fullness. The Lamb is on the throne and God’s people are around him in eternal praise. Hold fast to this vision. Keep it in your pocket and pull it out every time the world’s burden overwhelms you. Christ wins. God rules.
It’s like being on the bottom of the ocean. You look up through the water toward the surface, but your vision is blurry. You only make out the shapes of a boat or a bird or a shoreline. But when you surface, then you see everything clearly, from above. This is the vision we will have in the end, and we get a glimpse from John’s revelation: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Lamb of God, give me strength of voice to praise you today as I will one day in eternity. Amen.
Sending Word
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (II Peter 3:18)
*Today’s devotion is taken from It Is Finished by Jeff Cloeter, published by CTA – Christ to All at ctainc.com