Drive-Thru Devotions: The Lamb who Became the Lion

If you read a bit in Luther’s writings, you will discover that Bernard of Clairvaux greatly influenced the Reformer. Bernard was born in 1090 and died on August 20, 1153. Three years after joining a monastery at age 22, he founded a more rigorous order.

A fitting verse for Bernard is John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”

He often spoke of never being able to concentrate totally while praying the Lord’s Prayer. On one occasion, a friend bet that he could, however his friend found that his mind also never failed to stray.

Bernard wrote of Christ, “While Christ had taught righteousness, he had also granted it.”

Christ’s resurrection is, “That happy day on which Christ redeemed all the ages. He who had been a lamb in his passion became a lion in his resurrection.”

Bernard is still remembered today. On Good Friday we sing, “O sacred Head, Now Wounded.” (LSB 449,450) Hymn 554 speaks of “Jesus, King most wonderful, in whom all joys are found.”

Prayer: O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and shining light in your church; grant that we may also be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with the Father and the Spirit rules forever and ever. Amen.

By Rev. Ronald Jansen