This past February had its fill of darkness and wintry systems of snow, ice, and sleet. Between the snow systems I had an opportunity to travel home and watch birds feed during the middle of a snowstorm. Among the birds, the cardinal stood out to me with its brilliant red color that stood out to starkly white landscape. This picture of a single bird sitting on a tree in the dreary landscape, adorned in a blaze of red stands out to me.
Jesus also stood alone on the dark hours of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, where he faced false accusations from religious and political leaders of the Jews. The Romans were swift to punish Jesus. We see leaders and people who normal indifferent and adversaries align together to get rid of Jesus by crucifying Him to a Cross, made from a tree.
Jesus who knew no sin, the Son of God, was sentence to die for our sakes. God the Son suffer so we might know everlasting life with Him forever. This past year has been filled with many difficult moments for many of us, but may we remember we are never alone in our suffering that Christ Jesus knew the hardships of suffering and feeling alone.
Jesus from his perch on the cross changed this symbol of terror and shame into a symbol of hope. The cross became Jesus’ Throne. In the storms of a sinful world, His love for people has blazed forth in our memories and changed our lives. I invite you to remember the love of God and share His love with others. You will see the love of God, in ways that often can be unnoticed such as a cardinal perched on a tree.
Gracious God,
We thank you for your faithful love for us by sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. He paid the price of our sins and for the actions of all people. Help us to lay down our sins at the feet of the cross and love more like Jesus. We pray this in your Holy Name. Amen.
Meditation: Perched on a Tree
This past February had its fill of darkness and wintry systems of snow, ice, and sleet. Between the snow systems I had an opportunity to travel home and watch birds feed during the middle of a snowstorm. Among the birds, the cardinal stood out to me with its brilliant red color that stood out to starkly white landscape. This picture of a single bird sitting on a tree in the dreary landscape, adorned in a blaze of red stands out to me.
Jesus also stood alone on the dark hours of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, where he faced false accusations from religious and political leaders of the Jews. The Romans were swift to punish Jesus. We see leaders and people who normal indifferent and adversaries align together to get rid of Jesus by crucifying Him to a Cross, made from a tree.
Jesus who knew no sin, the Son of God, was sentence to die for our sakes. God the Son suffer so we might know everlasting life with Him forever. This past year has been filled with many difficult moments for many of us, but may we remember we are never alone in our suffering that Christ Jesus knew the hardships of suffering and feeling alone.
Jesus from his perch on the cross changed this symbol of terror and shame into a symbol of hope. The cross became Jesus’ Throne. In the storms of a sinful world, His love for people has blazed forth in our memories and changed our lives. I invite you to remember the love of God and share His love with others. You will see the love of God, in ways that often can be unnoticed such as a cardinal perched on a tree.
Gracious God,
We thank you for your faithful love for us by sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. He paid the price of our sins and for the actions of all people. Help us to lay down our sins at the feet of the cross and love more like Jesus. We pray this in your Holy Name. Amen.
Song of Praise: Were You There (UMH 288)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ0IjLAmOA
Scripture Lesson: Mark 14:53-65 NIV
Link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2014:53-65&version=NIV