The Christian Leader, published bimonthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (USMB), connects the USMB family, celebrates our Lord Jesus Christ and cultivates discipleship as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist tradition. When Peg dropped me off, I leaned across the console of the front seat of the car and kissed her goodbye. When I survey the wondrous cross. Today, on this Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we lift high the cross, being reminded that by believing in Jesus Christ crucified and keeping our gaze on him, we can be healed from the poison of sin and given new life. “They crucified Jesus with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left”. Then they returned His robe to Him, and brought Him to the cross on which He was to die. She later became known as Veronica, derived from Vera Icona (true image), because in the Stations of the Cross tradition it is said that when she wiped Jesus’ face, the true image of Jesus remained on the veil. Then I felt this sudden compulsion to fight; there was no choice. The decorative cross on my desk came into view. ( Log Out / I can’t imagine … Believers are to love one another in the same manner as Jesus has loved us. But my trust is in the one whose death on the cross brings healing, hope and salvation. Jesus was scourged. Because it reveals the closeness of Jesus to us in our own weakness and pain. Change ). I remember thinking, “Everything in this world ends at the cross. Jesus’s words to the penitent thief, hanging on the cross next to him, resound down the centuries and land for us to reflect on today. The next morning, they moved me to ICU and began convalescent plasma transfusions plus Remdesivir and additional steroidal drug therapies. Jesus came, he died, and he rose for our salvation. Jesus made it very clear, over and over again, to his followers, that he … And yet, on the Cross, you have revealed yourself. When You were already hurting,You embraced the cross.Thank you, Jesus.Thank you, Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Reading: Mt 27:31. R/. Let us prayerfully reflect on the Stations of the Cross. I sensed that behind me was the world and everything that pertained to living on earth. “All of life culminates at the cross. Then they led him out to crucify him. Facts can tell stories differently. Thanks so much for your vulnerability in sharing your story, and for the gift to us of the vision God gave you of the cross of Christ. Christ’s death was a free-will choice. We know our birthdays. He entered into suffering through His Cross. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. ( Log Out / Taking it Home: The disciple Jesus loved is the ideal disciple who remains always faithful to Jesus, even to Jesus on the cross. He and his wife, Peg, have three children and nine grandchildren. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. We want to embrace the resurrection, but Jesus calls us to the Cross, too. It is at this moment, on the way to Golgotha, that this woman approached Jesus and wiped the blood and sweat off of his marred face. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. You have entered an incorrect email address! Reflection 137: Power in the Cross; Reflection 136: The Power of a Grateful Heart; Reflection 135: Conversing with Jesus; Reflection 134: The Sweetness of Our Joint Labor; Reflection 133: Actions on Our Own; Reflection 132: The Incomprehensible God; Reflection 131: The Great Work of Small Sacrifices; Reflection 130: Correcting Others in Love Powerful, Jules! Similarly, John later would record these words: “Unto him who loves us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5). Reflection : Can Jesus’ response give meaning and consolation if you or a loved one are ‘captured’ by the diagnosis of a life threatening or terminal illness? It was not a pretty cross. John of the Cross, co-founder with Teresa of Avila of the Discalced Carmelites, is the father of mystic theology. An affirmative thought about the direction of Tabor came to mind. I find hope, strength and encouragement in the Psalms. The cards, flowers, texts, phone messages, emails and above all the prayers have been a great encouragement to them during Jules’ battle with COVID-19. Jesus chose to suffer and die so that he might fulfill Isaiah’s vision of the Suffering Servant of God, the one who was “despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity.” Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. He was the sacrifice that was acceptable to God. And pour contempt on all my pride. A Good Friday Reflection on the Cross of Jesus Christ. A crown of thorns was set on His head in mockery. The seven words of Jesus from the cross form a microcosm of everything he came to do and to be for his people. Jules Glanzer is in his 14th and last year of service as president of Tabor College. … Recorded on Friday 19th February, 2021 from Saint Giles Church, Matlock. I had an incredible sense of total forgiveness, deep assurance of salvation and a peaceful serenity. I was in day 10 of having COVID-19 and my oxygen level was not holding. Jesus falls the First Time 14 Fourth Station. Station 2 Made to bear his cross. I see the hand of God in all of this. When we are careful about reading the Bible and spending time with God, He will reveal more and more of Himself to us. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. John 19:16-17: The soldiers took charge of Jesus. We listen in with bated breath. Jesus embraced the cross, resting it painfully on the smarting wounds on His back. Many small things I took for granted now have great meaning to me. We can only imagine the pain he endured as he walked, the beam chafing his flesh-torn back. I do not understand the sovereignty of God. We will witness as Jesus is hung to the wooden beams with nails driven into his flesh. After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his … The death of Christ was also a visible demonstration of the love of God for sinful humanity. Yet, they did not survive. This is not the cry of someone deserted by God but of one who knows God listens when we feel that way. Reflections on the cross of Christ. By understanding why Jesus died on the Cross, we come face-to-face with the unconditional and total love of God for humanity. From my limited view, God has given me more days to serve him. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. FROM FATHER HUGH DUFFY: "Jesus has told us that His kingdom is not of this world. Clearly, the conclusion to be drawn is that the “cross” was a manifestation of God’s love for lost humanity. Then if they let me, I’ll wait at the gate for you and our family.”. “And just like 2020 seems to be a year of reset, so the COVID-19 experience, including the Vision of the Cross, has motivated me to reset my life.”, Seven tips for creating engaging online events, MB Foundation reports positive outcome to challenging year, Canadian Mennonite Brethren discuss ministry to LGBTQ+ people. All … The whips cut His back until it was shredded and bathed in His blood. That what Jesus’ blood did for me on the cross, these therapies would do to the coronavirus in my body. He believed this to be the will of God, the way by which he would realize his messianic destiny. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. 3, 14). At this present hour of history we are living in God’s darkness. ( Log Out / One of … I sensed that if I stepped into the cross, I would be on the other side and that I would see Jesus. On the churchleaders.com website is a powerful article written by Pastor Ray Hollenbach entitled “Good Friday: 4 Powerful Reflections on the Cross”.In part, I share it with you below. JESUS had now reached almost to the top of Calvary; but, before He … Fr Mark reflects on the second station of the cross - Jesus receives his cross. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. As we move together through Holy Week, looking forward to Easter, we will be brought to the foot of the cross. They covet your continued prayers during his recovery. Jesus falls the Second Time 31 “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The word of salvation. FIFTH REFLECTION It is statement of fact. The whips cut His back until it was shredded and bathed in His blood. “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. While on the BiPAP, I had an experience, that looking back, I simply call “Vision of the Cross.” I was standing in front of a very large cross, rising hundreds of feet into the air, square wood and brown in color. I checked in quickly and was taken to a normal room. First Station. By this he means that the ways and standards of His kingdom are not the ways and standard of the world. Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross Reflection by Margaret Pierce. Reflection: St Francis' Admonition #15 Blessed are the peacemakers, since they shall be called sons of God. In the meantime we pray and live for Him. John’s writings flowed from his own experience. Jesus is given the cross to carry to the crucifixion. The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death (John 19:14-16) Prayer: Lord Jesus, the one thing of which we are sure is that one day we shall die. READINGS: Mark 15:20. Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, but there’s more to it than remembering; our task to call people to the Cross. Jesus says to Nicodemus: “The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert” (Io. Each day a new Psalm speaks to my situation. Jesus walks his final moment on this earth, humiliated and physically battered, but still attentive to those around him who humbly seek what is good. Ever anew you are being nailed to the Cross. Station 2: Jesus takes up His cross Leader: We adore you O Christ and we praise you, Response: Because by your holy cross and resurrection you have redeemed the world. And seeing our own brokenness in truth and clarity helps us love our Lord more deeply. He picked up his cross and walked to Golgotha because he had chosen the way of suffering. They are all dying in extreme agony. We learn how He spent His life, how He spent His time, and what He was all about. Just do not know when.” I added, “First, I want to see Jesus. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The gate of heaven is a cross.” I sensed that if I stepped into the cross, I would be on the other side and that I would see Jesus. To be true disciples of Christ, means to take up OUR CROSS and follow Him, in humility, patience and love. This is a guest post by Brian Davis, Visit Brian’s band site here. Then for a few moments I reflected. The Face of Jesus is wiped by Veronica 27 Seventh Station. Within the hour, the doctor laid out the various levels of medical therapies, and I knew that this was more than a couple of whiffs of oxygen. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All these thoughts flooded my mind as I stood in front of the cross and the possibility of stepping into the cross and seeing Jesus. Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy). His death should serve as an example for the believers. On which the prince of glory died. Those truly are the peacemakers, who Lift up the cross.”. Victory Over Death. As I lay in the hospital, fighting COVID-19, I had a vision of Christ's cross. My doctor later said that she has never seen someone fight so hard. When they began the plasma transfusion and again when administering the Remdesivir, I prayed that as these drugs entered my blood stream they would wash away the virus just as Jesus’ blood washed away my sin on the cross. Every struggle can be offered to god, everyone has a struggle they must bear. I started a “things to be thankful for” list in the hospital, and it continues to get longer. A REFLECTION OF THE CROSS AND THE PASSION OF THE LORD. Seeing His wounds disposes us to reveal our own wounds with confidence. Jesus, fully divine, feels that anguish, too, the ripping ache of aloneness. ( Log Out / It is not untrue. The first reflection on the cross is that there’s This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:18 It comes at a perfect time as I conclude the presidency of Tabor College and move into retirement. Jesus, whose divine love alone can redeem all humanity, wants us to share his Cross so that we can complete what is still lacking in his suffering (cf. Reflection: Scholars generally agree that Jesus carried the horizontal beam of the cross , which weighed about 125 pounds. Jesus was scourged. Jesus did die on that cross at Calvary – it was an historical event witnessed by … As I lay in the hospital, fighting COVID-19, I had a vision of Christ's cross. This mission was directed towards “the lifting up” of Christ on the Cross. … I thought that I would be in the hospital for a couple of days, get some extra whiffs of O2 and then come home. I will ask, too, when my time comes, to wait at the gate for my family and others. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. “It is all about the cross,” I thought. Jesus is condemned to Death 6 Second Station. Jesus is met by His Blessed Mother 19 Fifth Station. Jesus receives the cross Scripture readings Mark 15:20 When they had finished making fun of him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. Jehovah Jira, God our provider, and Jehovah Rapha, God our healer, are operative in my life. Nicodemus knows the Scriptures well; he knows the inspired message of the Old Testament. Jesus embraced the cross, resting it painfully on the smarting wounds on His back. Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Follow Spiritual Formation on the Run on WordPress.com. Seven Reflections on The Meaning of the Cross 1. V/. The cross was an emblem of the unfathomable love of God, and likewise that of his beloved Son. I did. This disciple is given to Jesus’ mother as son. As a meditation during Lent or Holy Week, they provide a small roadmap for our hearts and minds, helping us prepare to enter into the joy of our Lord at Easter. I am resetting my life around five words that have been impressed upon my heart during the COVID-19 experience: contentment, gratitude, simplicity, smallness and focused. This is the cry of God, brokenhearted for us. My recovery is not complete. But above all, I am thankful for the prayers of the people, the medical professionals who cared for me, the pharmaceutical therapies and above all, the healing hand of God. The true family of Jesus now consists of his mother, the natural family, and the beloved disciple, the family of discipleship. I think of all those I know who lost the battle to COVID-19. JESUS RECEIVES THE CROSS. THE FIFTH STATION: Jesus receives the Cross. Here we see something about the extent of Jesus’ love. Through your great sufferings and the wickedness of men, the face of God, your face, seems obscured, unrecognizable. He and Peg want to thank the greater Tabor College and Mennonite Brethren communities for their prayers and support during this time. Many of the sermons I have heard about this station reflect on how we each have individual crosses to bear. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Lord Jesus Christ, at the hour of your death the sun was darkened. Knowing there were yearend legal issues needing attention, I quickly wrote an email to the Tabor College board chair making arrangements for the possibility that I would not be able to fulfill my duties as president of the college. A conversation was taking place on the crucifixion site, between the two thieves hanging on crosses on either side of Jesus. In this introduction, we proclaim we are moved to adoration and blessing because the cross has brought redemption for the whole world. Jules Glanzer is president of Tabor College. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. As Christians, the Cross is, for us, forever an emblem of love, humility and obedience. Jesus, fully human, feels the anguish of God’s distance, the bare landscape of abandonment. “The world behind me. I was texting as my wife, Peg, drove me to the hospital Nov. 28, 2020. Then they returned His robe to Him, and brought Him to the cross on which He was to die. The Cross is laid upon Simon of Cyrene 23 Sixth Station.
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