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
Misrepresenting God
Frances Taylor
This passage is one I try very hard to take to heart. For over forty years, I have worked to bring the gospel message to children and adults alike. That is what I'm doing as I write this. It is so important that we don't misrepresent God to others. When someone tells me they don't believe in God, I wonder whose image of God they have been taught. When I was a child, it was common to hear that God was some policeman in the sky that was going to punish me for everything I did wrong. The idea of a loving, forgiving God was not taught as the norm. Ministers and other teachers of religion often spoke more of hellfire and damnation. It's no wonder that there are those who claim that God doesn't exist. On the other hand, there are those who taught that God was like Santa Claus, keeping track of our good deeds and rewarding us accordingly, or tracking our misdeeds and punishing us accordingly. Neither of these images of God are accurate. God is loving ...
Morning Prayer
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
Inspiration
Those in ancient Israel, as today and in all lands, who prey upon the poor and vulnerable, who pervert justice against them and deny them their rights, sin against God. His eyes see, his eyelids try the children of men, and nothing is done in secret where he does not know.
Prayer
Give me a heart of compassion, O Lord, for the weak and helpless, for the poverty stricken, for widows and orphans. And give me a righteous indignation against those who oppress them, pervert their justice, or deny their rights. Amen.
