Cross

Interrupted by Love Lenten Reading

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Luke 22:24 ESV

A funny thing happened on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Cross. Jesus had just finished giving them the bread and the wine as the holiest of sacraments and while supper was ending the disciples began arguing with each other about who was most important. Can you imagine with me Jesus striking his forehead and crying “Oy Vey? These disciples are making me crazy!”?

KIMG0025

We may chuckle at the absurdity of that scene but just as the supper in its various forms has been remembered for 2,000 years; so has the conflict among us as to who is the best. One way to honor this Easter season might be to do something daring in the service of others. Why not pray for a door of service outside our comfort zone? Whatever service God leads us to we need to remember the example that Jesus gave us when He interrupted their argument in order to wash the feet of His disciples!

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 ESV

Running to the Finish Line

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

As a long distance runner in high school, I learned early on that my toughest competition came from my own body and mind. At the starting gun my mind wanted to race ahead but our coach had taught us to start slowly. When I paced myself I discovered that later on in the race, I still had the strength to press on to the final lap. My recent retirement followed by our move to Florida brought on far more stress and anxiety than I had imagined.

P1010537

Suddenly I had no lunch to pack, no schedule to keep and no one coming by. It felt as if the road I had been traveling on for most of my life was a dead end. I found myself sleepless with anxiety and fear swirling around me. There I remembered that Jesus as He had hung alone on the cross, had cried out, “My God My God why have you forsaken me?” With no one who could understand and no deliverance at hand He endured it all for me. Humbled and grateful I remembered His example and loving sacrifice. In that dark hour long ago, another man on a cross next to Jesus cried out in pain and fear. Then Jesus, put aside His own suffering, forgave him and promised to personally welcome him to paradise that day.

Prayer: Father – Help me to remember that You endured the terrible cross for me. Remind me that I don’t need to be afraid because just You are the beginning of my faith You have also promised to help me run all the way to its finish line.

 

Seven Words

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Seven Words Our Savior Spoke

Seven words our Savior spoke

As He was dying there

Three words of comfort gently said

Three words He cried in prayer

And one He humbly asked “O How I thirst”

When they gave Him vinegar

Then Father forgive they do not know

What they have done to me

And to a broken dying thief He said

“In paradise we’ll be”

As Mary and John drew close to Him

His closest friend and mother

“Remember” He said “From this day on

To care for one another”

“My God – My God O why have You?

Forsaken me this way?”

He cried on that dark hill

Next “It is finished!” They heard Him say

I have done all your will

Then finally “Into your hands”

He prayed for His race was done

“I’m coming now to you My Father

Death defeated the victory won!”

Peter Caligiuri March 2020

P1040081