Lenten Devotional...Easter

Colossians 3:1-4

One of the truly powerful moments of baptism is the symbolism that accompanies the candidate coming up from beneath the water. In going under the baptismal waters he or she is burying his or her sin, dying to the old self. Then, as the candidate comes out of the water, he or she is being raised to new life, sharing in the resurrection of Christ. Paul speaks of this new life when he writes in today's text, "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above....for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." My friends, this is the good news of Easter. Christ has taken our sins upon himself and they have been buried with him. As he has risen to new life, so too we rise to be like Christ, to seek the things that are above.

We so often think of resurrection as our hope for that moment some day when we breathe our last breath, but resurrection is more than eternal security...it is empowerment for daily living here and now. Through Christ, you have been raised to glorious, new life. So, today, seek the things that are above. That is the joy and hope of resurrection for this and every day!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to rise anew and live victoriously. Because Christ lives, we too shall live! Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Holy Saturday

I Peter 4:1-8

First century Christians believed the return of Christ would come at any moment. Indeed, Peter writes in our text today, "The end of all things is near."

Though we know little about what truly happened to the followers of Christ in those hours between the crucifixion and the resurrection, it would not be much of a stretch to surmise that they believed the end of all things was near, but for very different reasons. The One they had followed, leaving behind the familiar faces and places of their lives, had just been executed. Mark tells us the disciples were weeping and mourning when Mary came with the news of resurrection. John reveals that when Jesus first appeared to the disciples post-resurrection, they were behind locked doors, afraid of what might happen to them because of their association with Jesus. Perhaps the end of all things would come for them as it had for Jesus.

Fear paralyzes, causing us to withdraw...to detach ourselves from the world around us. The difference between the Christians Peter writes to and the disciples in the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion, is resurrection. Pre-resurrection, fear overwhelms, death defeats; post-resurrection, fear is overcome, life wins. Thus Peter encourages his brothers and sisters in Christ to arm themselves with the same intentions of Christ...living not by their own desires, but by the will of God.

Perhaps in these hours between our observances of crucifixion and resurrection, we would do well to heed Paul's words: ... live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God.

Prayer: Lord, help us overcome the fears that paralyze. May we live by your will, in the light of Sunday's resurrection hope. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Good Friday

John 18:1-19:42

What must it be like to be completely betrayed? For Jesus, betrayal had a name…actually, many names. Judas bears the burden of Jesus’ betrayal, but he didn’t act alone. Yes, he brought the soldiers to the garden, but when the rough hands of the temple guards bound Jesus and took him to Caiaphas, the other disciples joined this betrayal as they ran in fear. Peter followed at a distance, but his betrayal was compounded as he denied knowing this man he had earlier promised to die for. Condemned by the religious leaders whose heritage he shared, and reluctantly sent to the cross by a Roman governor, Jesus is thrust into the street, forced to carry his cross while the crowd who hailed him as king days before, now celebrates his condemnation. On the cross, there seems a final betrayal as God turns away. The work of betrayal is complete. “It is finished,” Jesus cries.

Yes, betrayal had many names; many more than the story reveals. Anyone else you recognize?

Prayer: Forgiveness is a gift of the cross, Lord. As one of your betrayers, I humbly ask for that gift, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Maundy Thursday

I Corinthians 11:23-26

Jesus gathered with his disciples in the upper room the night before his crucifixion, not as an act of secrecy, but a moment of initiation that would be celebrated for centuries to come. Within hours, his closest followers would betray him, the adoring crowds who welcomed him on Sunday would call for his crucifixion, and the religious establishment would coerce the government to kill him. The scriptures tell us that Jesus knew all of this before it happened, and yet, he sits down with these traitorous men for a final meal. What was this act of initiation that had to be observed?

Bread and wine...a simple meal, but here, in this upper room, it becomes so much more. The blessing is offered, the bread is broken, and Jesus says, “This is my body that is for you." Then he takes the cup and says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood." Bread and wine...body and blood; Jesus is establishing something new that will serve as a marker for generations to come. With both elements of this supper, he tells his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me." This moment of initiation establishes an observance that calls all who follow him to eat the bread and drink the cup as an act of proclamation, a continuing witness to the sacrifice of God's Son for the world.

Perhaps this evening in a Maundy Thursday service, like that Thursday evening more than two thousand years ago, you will participate once more in the proclamation of salvation. As you do this, take note that millions before you have received and remembered that same loaf and cup. As you do this, take note that twelve sinful men shared that bread and wine as you will do. As you do this, take a quiet moment to note the words of Jesus..."For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

Prayer: Bread of life, Wine of the new covenant, help us remember and give thanks whenever we gather at your table. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Holy Wednesday

Hebrews 12:1-3

March Madness is a study in perseverance, The annual NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments close what has already been a long and grinding season with a three week tournament of games for the purpose of crowning a champion. Along the way there are upsets as lower seeded teams surprise their supposed superiors, while some teams prove the validity of their lofty rankings. I must say, on more than one occasion over the years, I have thought the team I was rooting for was too far behind, too worn out to win the game, only to be surprised that they found unexpected strength to finish well and advance to the next game.

The writer of Hebrews challenged his readers to persevere, even in the midst of what seemed to be hopeless circumstances. He offered the example of Jesus who would not be deterred by the obstacles of human sin. His purposeful march to the cross was accomplished because he kept his focus on the will of his heavenly Father who empowered his every step. But there is something else for us here, for in noting his example, we are encouraged to "not grow weary or lose heart."

On this Wednesday of Holy Week, we are nearing the cross. There are numerous obstacles that stand between us and the cross of Christ, but take heart, persevere, for as Christ joyfully embraced the cross, so too may we as we trust our heavenly Father to empower our every step.

Prayer: One more step, and then another, Lord. Give strength to complete the journey, to take up my cross and follow you. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Holy Tuesday

I Corinthians 1:18-25

The gospel story is one of paradox. From his earliest teachings Jesus turned conventional wisdom on its ear. He was constantly sharing the revelation of God's love that transformed minds, hearts, and the daily practice of faith. "You have heard it said," he proclaimed in Matthew 5, then countered, "but I tell you..." Nowhere is this more evident than the cross where humiliation, suffering, and death seemed to rule, yet at the right moment, when his work was complete, Jesus cried out from the cross that his mission was accomplished..."It is finished!"

The apostle Paul picks up this theme in our text today as he writes, "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Foolishness/power; perishing/salvation...here is the message of hope that will not be defeated by human wisdom--"while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It makes little sense.

The cross is foolishness to those who will not believe, but for those who will, it is salvation. Therefore, with Paul, let us proclaim Christ crucified...the foolishness of the gospel!

Prayer: Eternal God, may our wisdom give way to the foolishness of the cross. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Holy Monday

Isaiah 42:5-9

And old friend used to talk about the five "P's" of success...Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. As a school administrator, he knew something about the significance of being prepared.

Throughout the Old Testament, the covenantal relationship between the Creator God and his chosen people is preparing the way for the fulfillment of promise. Along the way, God has reminded them again and again that they are a people of the promise whose hope is found in the faithfulness of God. In verse nine of our text, God speaks through the prophet, saying, "See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them." The fulfillment of promise came in the incarnate Christ. Even after he came to this earth, Jesus continued to tell of God's plan that ultimately led to the cross. Salvation was not a clandestine act, but one prepared from the creation event itself, spoken of over and over again in the words of scripture.

And so, God has been preparing God's human creation for this moment of salvation. Our final steps to the cross this week are but continuing reminders of preparation and promise.

Prayer: God of Promise, you have been faithful to your word. During this Holy Week, prepare our hearts and guide our steps as we make our way to the cross. Amen.

Jim Abernathy