Devotion
Father, Forgive Us
David Jacobs
These final words of Jesus are a grim reminder of the cruelty of humanity. It is easy to picture yourself in this setting, and the verses are rushed and unsettling. It all seems surreal and like it is over so fast. In a way, the life of Jesus is surreal and ends so quickly. The people around seem to barely notice Jesus, because he is just another person to be executed. Two others joined him that day, and the soldiers silently did their duty.
What a fitting end to Jesus' life: a reminder of his humility, sacrifice, forgiveness, and selflessness. The soldiers seem to not even notice, spending the time casting lots, essentially gambling, to see who would take the victims' possessions. Jesus, the Son of God, could ask for ANYTHING in this moment. He could DO anything in this moment. That is not our Savior's way. Instead, he thinks of others, begging God to forgive them considering this grisly scene. From the beginning until the end, Jesus loved us, no matter how we treated him.
Some countries still execute criminals. In American popular culture, it is common to see these events depicted on TV or in movies, with the criminals given a chance to have their last words. What would your last words be? In my case, I think that I would be pleading for my own life, hoping to save my own skin until the very end.
Jesus is the way the truth and the life. In the Lord's prayer, we say: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). God does forgive. Jesus even asked for us. How lucky we are to have been created by Him.
Prayer
Merciful Jesus, thank you for shining as the light unto all the world. Your example is one that all should follow, and I pray that I can be ever slightly more in your image with each passing day. Forgive us, heavenly Father, for we have sinned: sinned against ourselves, sinned against your Son, sinned against you. As your only begotten said, we truly know not what we do. Thank you, O God, for trying to understand us even when we do not understand it ourselves. In the name of the Son, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Devotion
Passover
Frances Taylor
And so still today, the Jewish people celebrate Passover and one of the traditions is for someone to ask why we celebrate this feast, and the youngest child answers with the story of the Passover. Jesus was celebrating Passover with his friends on the night before he died. I know this reading comes up during the summer, so it's not the time for Passover, or the Passion of Jesus, but I have a question. What are our traditions surrounding the passion and death and resurrection of Jesus? Do we celebrate the end of Lent on Holy Thursday? Do we spend time with Jesus on Good Friday remembering his sacrifice? Is Easter all about candy and the Easter bunny? Today, many of our churches are practically empty on Easter Sunday and the children think more about an Easter egg hunt than God. Would the youngest member of the family be able to tell the story of why we celebrate? God brought the Israelites from slavery to freedom at the original Passover, but Jesus brought ...
Morning Prayer
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
Inspiration
Through God, all things are possible, and all things may be made a new. Dwell not on the past, of what was or could have been, but rather look forward to what through God's grace, may unfold within his divine plan. Being a Christian is constantly about a state of becoming, of a movement towards the Light of perfection shown to us by Christ. A part of this is to always remain open to Gods' works and feats, emerging all around us. God's will to create and recreate the world is his right as our Heavenly father, and it is not for us to mourn what may pass, but rather to seek to adapt our faith in ...
Night Prayer
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Inspiration
God is our portion, our ultimate source of peace and happiness. We do not need to understand His ways or timing; we only need to know that He is always with us. God is our safety net, and He guides us through each struggle or hardship. We know terrible occurrences are bound to happen as we live in this imperfect world, but we have hope because God is with us every moment. His love will never fail.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we depend on You for peace and happiness all the days of our life. We are blessed because we can face any obstacle with You by our side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
