Easter

Verses For Easter – Week 1

/ pastorpete51 / 11 Comments

With Easter just one month away, I thought to post one poem for each of these four weeks. While devotional writing walks with us step by step in the wilderness, poetry skips over the sea connecting unexpected wavetops. I pray that a few of these wave-tops will be a blessing to some.

Seven Loaves of the Bread of Life

He took the seven loaves and the fish and having given thanks 
He broke them and gave them to the disciples 
and the disciples gave them to the crowds.  Matthew 15:36 ESV

Monday’s loaf was when the angels sang
And shepherds knelt and the Heavens rang

On Tuesday Mary dedicated Him
In the temple like a lamb who was without sin

At the Jordan On Wednesday Jesus was baptized
And the dove descended to the bread of life

Thursday’s loaf was when He broke the bread
And He blessed the cup and He bowed His head

Good Friday’s Bread was given for us
And His blood poured down the rough rugged cross

Saturday’s silence was the bread of sorrows
As He lay in the tomb waiting for tomorrow

Then on Sunday’s dawn came the Living Bread
For all who believe He rose up from the dead!

Seven Loaves of the Bread of Life by Peter Caligiuri Copyright 2020 
all rights reserved. Use by permission only

The Road That Lies Ahead

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15 KJV

Sometimes we look at Easter as a single defining event of our faith. But the Good News of Easter morning is that, as we walk (or run in Peter’s case) from the tomb, Jesus comes and walks with us. If we believe that living for Jesus means we have to do everything just right, then we will often want to give up. You should be encouraged to know that on the first Easter, Jesus decided to walk with disciples who were far from perfect. Let’s listen in on their conversation a bit:

But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…. Luke 24:21 ESV

In other words; they had given up hope. They just didn’t get it. Why had Jesus died? On those kinds of days Jesus draws near and asks:

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Luke 24:26 ESV

Just like a doctor treating a wound Jesus pokes and prods with questions that can make us feel uncomfortable. But His examination is for the purpose of healing and focusing our thinking on Hs cross, His forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer: Father my hope this morning is no longer that I have everything right, but that You will come along side today. Come Lord and walk alongside me to the cross that meant death for You and eternal life for me.

The above devotional comes from my 2022 Easter Devotional book, ‘The Joy of Easter” this is available in both large and standard print as well as in eBook format.

On Monday Morning

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38‭-‬39 ESV

And now it is Monday morning and the miracles, the drama with both the sorrows and joy of Holy week behind. What will we do with all that lies ahead?

What did the soldiers do who had guarded his tomb? Did Joseph of Arimathea open his shop, did Nicodemus go to the synagogue for morning prayer. And when His disciples and Mary, and Pontius Pilate woke to the same sunrise what thoughts passed through their minds?

Did they remember the earthquake and darkness? Did they speak of the tears, the gambling for the robe and the spear? Or will the shock, the amazement and the vision of angels on Sunday morning crowd out all other memories?

Or maybe some recalled His tenderness He touched one leper, stood in silent defense of the adulteress and raised a widow’s son to life? How often would they speak of loaves multiplied, waves stilled and blind eyes that could see? Or will we remember His words? Will their power still our seas, transform our ordinary moments and change forever the self seeking attitudes that govern our everyday lives? Will we be meek? Be listening? Wash feet? Give quietly to the poor? He died on Friday, rested on Saturday, rose on Easter Sunday and is now walking ahead of us on Monday. And more than all these, will we remember and take our own cross and follow Jesus Christ?