# 14 LENTEN MEDITATION ~ 2023 ~ for the Preparation of the GREAT PASSOVER ~~~ The Morning Sacrifice in the Temple ~ For HIS+ Great Silence

  The DEAFENING SILENCE 

 Heavenly FATHER, we thank YOU for the times HE+ gave no answer at all to His+ accusers, as a Lamb led to the slaughter and as a sheep before his shearers is silent.

This series of Lenten / Passover Meditations will reflect the 3^rd 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 3^rd 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.

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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Heavenly FATHER, we thank YOU for the times HE+ gave no answer at all to His+ accusers, as a Lamb led to the slaughter and as a sheep before his shearers is silent.

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HE+ made no defense.  The LORD JESUS CHRIST  did not “stand up” for HIMSELF+.  His+ accusers in all their cursed confusion had their way and the “last word” against Our LORD.

Knowing what was going to happen regardless of the “trial”, HE+ bore it silently, like an innocent little lamb becomes dumb when held by the forceful team of shearers. 

Many bulls have compassed ME+:

strong bulls of Bashan have beset  ME+  round. ^{Psalm 22:12}

Knowing WHO was hated, HE+ became silent.

They gaped upon ME+ with their mouths,

as a ravening and a roaring lion. ^{Psalm 22:13}

 

Knowing WHO was urging the wicked men on, HE+ became silent.

For dogs have compassed ME+:

the assembly of the wicked have inclosed ME+:

 they pierced My+ hands and My+ feet. ^{Psalm 22:16}

Knowing WHO was going to win, HE+ became silent.

And in pity, knowing who was going to burn in the Lake of Fire forever, along with satan and the false prophet . . . . . HE+ became silent.

THEY HAD REJECTED 

THEIR OWN SALVATION.

The LORD JESUS  knew those wicked men were more to be pitied than HIMSELF+, for His+ agony at their hands was only temporary.

Death would have

NO MORE DOMINION OVER HIM+

forever and ever !

But their agony, in contrast, would never cease.

What MORE could HE+ do to Save them ?

JESUS did everything The FATHER appointed for HIM+ to do

. . . and HE+ did it well. 

HE+ gave His+ utmost.

Have we given our utmost to lead the unSaved to CHRIST ?

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But GOD commendeth HIS Love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. 

^{Romans 5:8}

Much more then, being now justified by HIS+  Blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through HIM+. 

^{Romans 5:9}

For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to GOD by the death of HIS SON+,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by HIS+ LIFE. ^{Romans 5:10}

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