Read: Matthew 26:17-19
Meditation: The celebration of the Lord’s supper is not derived
from just anything. While Jesus instituted it in the Last Supper, it was
actually the celebration of the Passover in which it took place. The
Passover was celebrated (and still is today) as a remembrance of God’s
saving grace toward the Israelites. At Jesus’ last Passover
celebration he brought a new element into the celebration: His body and
blood.
Prayer Starter: I thank You Jesus for Your presence in my
celebration. Help me to always see the saving grace that communing with
You brings. 
Read: Exodus 12:3-20
Meditation: God is consistent in everything he does. You can see the
similarities in the Passover meal of the Jewish people and the Communion
meal in which we as Christians receive today. Both include an unblemished
lamb for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus, like the lamb of the Jewish
Passover, is unblemished and present in the sacrament we celebrate.
Communion is not a symbolic remembrance of Jesus’ body and blood. Jesus is
present and active in the bread and wine in which we partake.
Prayer Starter: Thank You Father for sending you Son to suffer for my
sins. Help me to realize that it’s through this body and blood that you
continue to play an active role in my life.
Read: Matthew 28:19 Acts
2:38 Acts 22:16
Meditation: The Bible does not prescribe how the water is to be
applied. We may sprinkle, pour, wash, or immerse. The important thing is not
the way the water is applied, but that it is applied along with Word of God.
It’s not the power of the water, it’s the power of the Word mixed with
the water that washes our sins away.
Prayer Starter: Jesus, thank you for providing me with such a simple
way for me to become clean. I know that if it was up to me, I would never be
able to make myself clean. Thank you for adding your powerful word to my
life.
Read: Matthew 16:13-19
Meditation: Jesus gives the "keys to the kingdom of heaven"
to Peter and the Apostles. The keys bring great power and responsibility.
Many visitors to our Lutheran churches find it appalling that the Pastor
stands up in front of the congregation and announces the forgiveness of
sins. As we see here, it’s not by the Pastor’s power that this happens,
but it’s through God’s power working through the Pastor. This is one use
of what Lutherans call "The Office of the Keys." As you can see,
this concept is very much biblical.
Prayer Starter: Help me, Lord, to use the authority that you have
given me in an appropriate way.
Read: Ephesians 2:19-20
Meditation: As Christians we are brought into the foundation of the
apostles through Jesus Christ as our cornerstone. With this in mind, just as
the apostles were given the "keys to the kingdom of heaven" so are
we. It is not only the Pastor who has the authority to forgive sins, we also
have that power.
Prayer Starter: Lord, thank you for including me in the foundation of
Jesus Christ. Help me to use the power to forgive sins, as well as the other
responsibilities that come with the Office of the Keys, to help and not to
harm.
Read: Matthew 18:21-22
Meditation:
How many times should we try and forgive someone? That is a
question that Christians are confronted with every day. God tells us in
this verse that we should always be willing to forgive someone no matter
how long it takes. After all, if God only forgave us a certain amount of
times, we would be in some serious trouble.
Prayer Starter: Thank you, Lord, for your everlasting
forgiveness. Help me to be as patient and long-suffering as your will
intends me to be, and help me to always have a heart of forgiveness.
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