This series of Lenten / Passover Meditations will reflect the 3rd Hour Prayer ( 9 a.m. ) Station observed by the Early Christians. Today, many liturgical churches continue to observe these ancient prayer hours. They were based upon the prayer hours in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Morning Prayer came at the time of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple, the very time that The LORD JESUS was nailed to the Cross.
3RD HOUR MORNING PRAYER
Heavenly FATHER, we come before YOU at this 3rd hour of the ancient day, the hour of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple . . . that same hour that Your Beloved SON+, the LAMB+ of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world, was offered up on the Cross for our sakes.
We thank YOU for the Great Drops of BLOOD HE+ shed in the garden of Gethsemane, after praying all through the night . . . then facing the men who had come with swords and clubs to violently take HIM+.
Thank YOU, O Holy FATHER, that Your Beloved SON+, as the perfect SON+ of GOD, revealed Your power, saying “ I AM,” causing the armed band of men to go backward and fall to the ground .
Yet, HE+ did not use this great power for HIMSELF+, revealing HIMSELF+ to be the obedient and perfect SON+ of Man . . . still loving His+ disciples to the uttermost, HE+ requested the armed men to “Let them go,” and thus, His+ frightened disciples could flee away.
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For the humiliation HE+ endured for our sakes, we give YOU thanks . . . and also, for the answers that HE+ gave to those who accused HIM+ wrongfully.
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The High Priest then asked JESUS of HIS+ disciples, and of HIS+ doctrine. John 18:19
JESUS answered him,
I+ spake openly to the world;
I+ ever taught in the synagogue, and in the Temple, whither the Jews [ i.e., Judean Jews ] always resort;
and in secret have I+ said nothing. John 18:20
Why askest thou ME+ ? Ask them which heard ME+, what I+ have said unto them: behold, they know what I+ said. John 18:21
And when HE+ had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by
struck JESUS with the palm of his hand, saying,
Answerest THOU+ the High Priest so? John 18:22
JESUS answered him,
If I+ have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou ME+ ? John 18:23
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One thing we can count on: The LORD JESUS was NOT being a smart-aleck to the High Priest in this conversation.
The High Priest and his cohorts knew exactly WHAT The LORD JESUS taught . They knew who followed HIM+. They had reports continually funneling into their midst by the angry and threatened Pharisees, Sadducees , Scribes, and Lawyers ( i.e., those proficient in the Law of Moses ).
Many times as miraculous healings occurred from HIS+ Hands, these religious leaders would demand to know “who” did it . . . and proceed to ( try to ) spoil the reputation of The LORD as a “Law-breaker.” [ See John 9, for example. ]
Because the High Priest had already compiled exact reports on HIS+ teachings and had already determined that “it was expedient that one man die for the nation,” the High Priest’s questions were not only superfluous but hypocritical.
The LORD JESUS knew all that.
In essence, The LORD JESUS
was putting the High Priest to the test !
The LORD was testing him to see if he would be honest in his dealings with what he knew was TRUTH.
Alas, the High Priest had already “weighed” the evidence and had already cast judgment against JESUS, The LORD CHRIST.
On the High Priest’s part, the conversation was a sham, a fake. He only wanted it to appear he was abiding by the Law of Moses and giving the accuser a chance to speak for himself.
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Against THEE, THEE only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
that THOU mightest be justified when thou speakest,
and be clear when THOU judgest.
PSALM 51:4
Behold, THOU desirest TRUTH
in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part
THOU shalt make me to know wisdom.
PSALM 51:6
The High Priest failed his test.
Let us not fail ours.
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