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Scriptures for this Thursday of Holy Week 2024.

Psalm 39:6-12

Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.

\u201cBut now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth\u2014surely everyone is but a breath. \u201cHear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping.

Exodus 11:4-7

Moses said, \u201cThis is what the Lord says: \u2018About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt\u2014worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.\u2019 Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

Ephesians 2:11-18

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called \u201cuncircumcised\u201d by those who call themselves \u201cthe circumcision\u201d (which is done in the body by human hands)\u2014 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Luke 22:13-21

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, and said to them, \u201cYou brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.\u201d But the whole crowd shouted, \u201cAway with this man! Release Barabbas to us!\u201d (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, \u201cCrucify him! Crucify him!\u201d.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered you punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. You were pierced for our transgressions, you were crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on you, and by your wounds we are healed. Praise be your name. Amen.