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Lenten Devotions: Premeditated

by | Mar 23, 2022 | God's Love, Lenten Devotions, Resurrection

And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of a crowd.”

(Luke 22:2-6 ESV)

They call it “premeditated” when a murderer plans ahead of time how to kill someone. For days or weeks the murderer has been choosing a time, a place, a weapon. Premeditation usually gets greater punishment, because it wasn’t spur of the moment; the person had plenty of time to change their mind. But they didn’t, and that proves their hearts were committed to doing what they did.

There is no clearer word for what the chief priests and scribes did when they plotted to kill Jesus. Judas is guilty of this, too. He had days, maybe weeks, to change his mind. He did not. His heart was committed to it.

And what about God? Oh, what He did was definitely premeditated. From the foundation of the world He planned to save us, to rescue us from the evil that had destroyed our lives. In Genesis 3:15 He promised that a human baby would be born to destroy the power of the devil and save us. That baby was Jesus—God come as a Man, to live, serve, suffer, die—and rise again.

What Jesus did was definitely premeditated. His whole heart was in it. His plan has always been to rescue you, the one He loves, and make you alive, forgiven, and blessed—with Him forever.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Your heart has always been set on saving me. Amen.

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on March 22, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved

Reflection Questions:
* What is one thing you planned for a very long time?
* How do you know when someone is committed to loving you?
* Do you see these things reflected in Jesus? How?

(To view the entire “Lenten Devotions” mini-series, please click here.)

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