Devotion: Promise

To this end I was born, for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. John 18:37

This portion of our scripture this week says it all. Jesus was before Pilate, being questioned. It was Jesus’ longest conversation recorded on his way to the cross. Pilate wanted to do the right thing. He had promised his wife to have nothing to do with Jesus (Matt. 27:19). But Jesus knew he must fulfill the promise God had made centuries ago in Isaiah. This must be done.

How many promises do you make? I made one almost 41 years ago to love, honor and cherish my husband. Most days I’ve kept that promise.

“I promise to pick up the kids after school!” Sometimes that one is harder to remember but just as important. Promises make you commit. Broken promises hurt. God has made promises to us…grace, eternal life, salvation, if we believe in Jesus and are baptized. His promise to the world was Jesus, His only Son, the Messiah.

Jesus realized, in Pilate’s living room, He must keep God’s promise and let the suffering happen. He was born to die for our sins. This is God’s promise to the world. This is what makes us Christians.

We can remember this promise every time we look at the cross. It is an empty cross, reminds us of the resurrection, (but that is another devotional.)
What promises have you made to God? What is the truth you want to pass on to your children? How will people know who you are and whose you are?

Dear Heavenly Father, We are all Your children, but Jesus was born to die on a cross for our sins. Help us remember Your commandments are just the right words for our hurting world. Amen.

This devotion is written by Cindy Swanson.

If you would like to serve as a member of the Sheridan Lutheran Writing Team and help to write devotions based on the text for the weekend, contact Amy Wagner.

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