Vespers, Wednesday of Invocabit

The Passion According to St. Luke, Part One

Luke 22:1-38

February 25, 2026

What did Satan find in Judas? While Satan asks for Peter, to test him, Satan is not able to enter him. Nor the other disciples, despite their weaknesses. But “Satan entered Judas.” Something is found in Judas that creates an opening.

It may have been greed. We know he loved money, and would steal from their treasury.

Might Satan find an opening in you? Listen to St. Cyril of Alexandria:

Satan is crafty in working evil. Whenever he gains possession of anyone’s soul, he does not attack him by means of general vice. He rather searches for that particular passion that has power over him and by its means makes him his prey.

Is there a particular passion that has power over you? Beware, lest you too fall prey to demons. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” [1 Pt 5.8f]. Lent is the time for resistance training.

Demons are real. Passion, lust, desire, this gives them an opening. Close it. The demons flee at the name of Jesus. The demons flee when you repent. The demons flee when you live by the Word of God, and not merely by bread or beer.

The demons attack the church by disputes. Tonight’s reading from Luke’s Passion tells us immediately after Jesus institutes the Holy Eucharist, the disciples begin to argue. If the demons cannot enter us, they will turn us against each other. The disciples were vying for authority. They were struggling to get their way.

Pride is a disease. The Lord Jesus Himself is the cure. He reminds them of His own authority. Then, He shows them the more excellent way. He is their Lord, yet He makes Himself their servant. “I am among you as the One who serves.” Wanting to be leaders, they became sick in their minds. But here is wisdom: “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord” [Sir 3:18].

There have always been leaders in the church. Some men we remember as great bishops. Some men are elected to positions of honor in the congregation. But here Jesus is talking about the honor you seek, and especially what you confess about yourself. The mirror of the Law reveals us to be sinners. This is all we can say about ourselves. These men will become the holy apostles. And the leadership seminar Jesus conducts for them consists of serving at a table and washing feet. Everything with Jesus is upside down from the expectations of the world.

The demons urge men to “leadership.” Jesus urges His disciples to service.

The prince of these demons, we then learn, has designs on Simon Peter. “The Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.’” In that sieve, Simon was battered and bloodied. He denies Jesus. But here is great comfort: Jesus prays for Simon. And elsewhere, we learn Jesus prays for us. Jesus goes to the Father on our behalf. So you never need to ask for the intercession of Mary or another person who has fallen asleep in Christ. That is blasphemy! Nowhere does God’s Word teach this. Instead, we have the privilege of praying to the Father in the name of Jesus. And the Father hears and will answer. When you are tested in Satan’s sieve, cry out to the Father, in the name of Jesus. He will answer, and deliver you.

A final test comes at the end of tonight’s Passion reading. Jesus reminds them of His previous teaching: they are to care nothing for money and weapons. Now He reverses the teaching. And it seems they already have among them several swords!

But why does Jesus reverse the teaching? Has He changed His mind? Are the circumstances now different? No. Jesus tells them it is in fulfillment of this prophecy: “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” It’s those who go against God’s Law who rely on money and weapons. But they don’t understand a word of what Jesus is saying.

There is, certainly, a place for money and weapons. These are matters of the marketplace and the state. The government wields the sword. You have the right and the duty to defend your family. But this is not how the church operates. We have no army, no weapons. The disciples give themselves over to worldly desires, and they themselves become the transgressors among whom Jesus is numbered.

Their money cannot save them. Your money cannot save you.

Their swords cannot save them. Your guns cannot save you.

Jesus will go alone, undefended, into the lair of demons. He will face them with only the blinding light of His Truth, His Righteousness, His Life.

For tonight, take this home: Give no opening to the demons. Give no place to arguing or disputes. You were made to serve. You can pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. He was numbered with the transgressors for you, that He might take away your transgressions. Resist your passions. Trust Jesus.