Lenten Devotional: March 26, 2026
- St Pete First
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
by Nancy Gainor
Power
Etched lashes disfigure
the Holy body. The severe
beating has left Him
fragile, limp and afflicted
with pain. A twisted
crown of thorns penetrates
His brow as blood spilled
for our sin trickles across
eyelids lowered in sorrow.
Cloaked in a purple robe,
mocked as the King of Jews,
His tormentors repeatedly
strike Jesus’ innocent face.
Isolated, abandoned, and
rejected, He faces His
anticipated fate alone.
The salvation of the world
rests upon this sacrificial
lamb. The open arena
beckons as Jesus is led
in chains into the blinding
sunlight. The dense
crowd congregates during
this preparation of Passover,
awaiting the release of
a condemned prisoner.
Averting blame, Pilate
allows the multitude to
determine the outcome.
A wave of chants, “Crucify,
Crucify,” echoes as the
adamant chief priests raise
their fists, marking His doom.
Pulling Jesus aside, the
pompous Pilate whispers,
“Don’t you realize I
have power either to
free you or crucify you?”
Jesus answers, “You would
have no power over me if
it were not given to you
from above.” Unwavering
in His heavenly authority,
Jesus acknowledges that
the entire regulation
of our lives originates
with God. He has
wondrously created us
and woven together the
details of our existence.
He knows the moment of
our first breath and our
last. We can be assured
that the strength of our
mighty God will dictate our
days now and forever more.
As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify! “But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
As you pause and reflect on the Lenton season, discover the power and peace of Christ. He has a plan for your life using your unique gifts and faith to build His kingdom. He is with you forever, our Emmanuel.
Prayer:
Loving Father,
I ask that you use the gifts you have created in me to help build your kingdom by welcoming and loving others desiring a relationship with you. I trust you with my life. In every circumstance you surround me with your presence, carrying me through difficult moments in life and sharing joy in times of elation. I do not fear the future because I believe in your promises of faithfulness and abiding love. Amen.