The Wartburg Project

Daily Lectionary

May 21, 2024

May 20, 2024 May 22, 2024

These daily readings from the EHV follow the one-year daily lectionary provided in Christian Worship: Hymnal, the Lutheran Service Book, and the Treasury of Daily Prayer. In this lectionary, two readings of 15-25 verses each are provided for each day. Under this plan, nearly all of the New Testament and approximately one-third of the Old Testament are read each year. These readings fit well within the daily offices of Matins, Vespers, or Compline as daily family devotions.

Numbers 22:21-23:3

21Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.
Balaam's Donkey
22But God's anger burned because Balaam was going with them. So the Angel of the Lord[] stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand. So the donkey turned off the road and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey to make it turn back to the road. 24Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards with walls on both sides. 25The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord and pressed against the wall and squeezed Balaam's foot against the wall. Balaam struck the donkey again. 26Then the Angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or to the left. 27The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord and lay down under Balaam. Balaam's anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28The Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, which said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?”
29Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! If only there was a sword in my hand, I would kill you now!”
30The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, the one you have always ridden to this day? Is this what I usually do to you?”
He said, “No.”
31Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand. Balaam knelt and bowed with his face to the ground. 32The Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I myself have come out to oppose you, because your way is reckless[] before me. 33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, I would have surely killed you by now and let the donkey live.”
34Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I didn't know that you stood in the road to confront me. Now if this is displeasing to you, I will go back.”
35The Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you will speak only the words that I speak to you.” So Balaam went with Balak's officials.
Balak Meets Balaam
36When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border at the edge of his territory. 37Balak said to Balaam, “Didn't I send for you urgently when I summoned you? Why didn't you come to me? Don't you know that I can really reward you?”
38Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you now. But am I really able to say anything? I will speak only the words that God puts in my mouth.”
39Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth. 40Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep and sent for Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41In the morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth Baal. From there, he saw the outskirts of the people.
Balaam's First Message
231Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.”
2Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I go off by myself. Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you.” ˻So Balak went and stood by his burnt offering, and Balaam called to God,˼[] and then he went off to a barren hill.

Luke 22:24-46

24A dispute arose among the disciples about which of them was considered to be greatest. 25But he told them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors. 26But it is not to be that way with you. Instead, let the greatest among you become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, one who reclines at the table or one who serves? Isn't it the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have remained with me in my trials. 29I am going to grant a kingdom to you, just as my Father granted to me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
(Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; John 13:36-38)
31The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, pay attention: Satan has asked to have you all, so that he may sift you as wheat. 32But I prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brothers.”
33He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”
34But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.”
35He said to them, “When I sent you out without money bag, traveler's bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they said.
36Then he told them, “But now, let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a traveler's bag. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with lawless ones.’[] Indeed, what is written about me is going to have its fulfillment.”
38They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”
He said to them, “That is enough.”
Gethsemane
(Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42)
39Jesus left and went out to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom. His disciples followed him. 40When he reached the place, he told them, “Keep praying that you may not enter into temptation.”
41He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”
43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44As he was in agony, he prayed more fervently. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.[]
45When he rose from prayer, he went to the disciples and found them sleeping as a result of sorrow. 46He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep praying so that you may not enter into temptation.”