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Day 381 | Sunday, 4 April 2021
CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN, INDEED! The assigned Scripture readings for this Easter Sunday are Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8. Mark 16:1-8 CEB 16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) 5 Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. 6 But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. 7 Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” 8 Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. An Easter Beginning: “At the break of dawn, a bird sings. The long night of darkness is over. The stone is rolled away, The tomb is empty. The sun begins to shine. The Son has risen! It's a morning of glory, of love overcoming death, of women spreading Good News, of men turning from despair to hope. It's a morning of joy, for Easter has come again. Hope is reborn, love is stronger than death, and we lift our voices in song.” An Easter Invocation: “God of the morning light, God of Easter miracles, open our hearts to hear once again the story of love overcoming death, of joy drowning out sorrow, of hope emerging from despair. Bring Easter to this moment. Touch us. Fill us. Amen.” An Easter Prayer: “Christ is risen; our loads are lifted, and the path is cleared! Light rises over us as Jesus overcomes darkness and death. We need not struggle alone, pushing through pain, stumbling on sin and trying to walk life's way unaided. Lent is over, Easter has come, and our road is new. We are forgiven; Jesus leads the way! Thank you, O God! Amen.” An Easter Affirmation: “We believe in the risen Christ. Like the disciples who were amazed at what they saw, so are we amazed at what we experience. We see the face of Christ in children's smiles, in the eyes of our families. We hear the voice of Christ in the stillness of a clear night, in the way our friends call our name, in the song that brings tears to our eyes. We know the touch of Christ in every warm embrace. We taste the presence of Christ in bread that is blessed, broken and shared. We feel the power of Christ in standing up to injustice, in reaching out to help another, in building strong communities of welcome and support. We feel the love of Christ when another wipes away our tears, takes us by the hand and leads us through the valleys and shadows to a new place. We believe the risen Christ. We know the risen Christ. We are blessed.” An Easter Blessing: “May alleluias ring from shore to shore. May trumpets echo from mountain to mountain. May every heart know that Christ is risen. And may you never be afraid, for Christ has triumphed over the grave.”
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Day 380 | Saturday, 3 April 2021
I have been doing some reflecting on yesterday, Good Friday, and probably showing my age. I remember a time when churches held services from noon to three on Good Friday. Quite often these services were ecumenical in nature and held in one of the larger church buildings in the community. It was appropriate for the ministers to speak on the last words of Christ. I also remember that local business would close from noon to three. That was another time. The following verses from Matthew 27 are unique to Matthew. The chief priests and the pharisees are still plotting even after Jesus’ death. 62 After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. 63 They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, 'After three days I will be raised.' 64 We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, 'He's risen from the dead.' Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first." 65 Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can." 66 So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards. Reflecting on the events of Good Friday, I want to share a familiar hymn “Were You There”. “Included in almost every major hymnal of the last thirty years, “Were You There” is one of the most prominent and popular of the African-American spirituals. Yet, like most spirituals, the origins of “Were You There” are impossible to trace, borne not from the pen of an individual but out of the communal slave experience.” 1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 2. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? 3. Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they pierced him in the side? 4. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? 5. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Gracious and Holy God, this hymn encourages us to remember and reflect. Help us spend some time today reflecting on the events of Holy Week and what those events mean for us today. Help us remember all those who suffer at the hands of oppression and discrimination. God, we pray for those who have lost loved ones recently to senseless mass shootings. May this day be a day of reflection in preparation for the Joy of Easter Morning. Lord, Hear our prayers. Amen Day 379 | Friday, 2 April 2021
A Good Friday Invocation “As we dare to enter your presence, our Father, we remember what a turbulent, soul-shocking day that Friday was. Yet, we call it Good Friday because you turned that dark event into a day of victory. You raised Christ from the dead. His triumph over sin and death has become the source of our salvation. All praise be yours, Father. Glory to you in the highest. Amen.” Continuing with Matthew chapter 27, it is early in the morning and the decision is to turn Jesus over to Pilate, the governor. The religious leaders have decided that Jesus is to be put to death, but they need Pilate to make that decision. As Judas watches, he regrets his betrayal. He returns the thirty pieces of silver and hangs himself. Pilate questions Jesus. He also knew that he was caught in the middle of a jealous fit by the religious leaders. So, following a custom he offers a deal. 17 When the crowd had come together, Pilate asked them, “Whom would you like me to release to you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate’s wife encourages him to leave Jesus alone, but he cannot. The chief priests and elders have stirred up the crowds and they demand the release of Barabbas. The crowd demands that Jesus be crucified. Pilate washes his hands and proclaims that he is innocent of this man’s blood. He releases Barabbas and has Jesus whipped before handing him over for crucifixion. The soldiers mock Jesus by stripping him, placing a red military coat on him and a crown of thorns, bowed to him, spit on him and struck him on his head. They stripped him again, put his clothes back on him and led him away to be crucified. Simon form Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross as they go to Golgotha where Jesus is placed upon the cross between two criminals. A sign is placed on the cross which read “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” He is mocked by the people and the leaders as he hangs on the cross. 39 Those who were walking by insulted Jesus, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “So you were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, were you? Save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way, the chief priests, along with the legal experts and the elders, were making fun of him, saying, 42 “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. He’s the king of Israel, so let him come down from the cross now. Then we’ll believe in him. “He saved others” was Jesus’ purpose on earth and that is why he did not save himself, to fulfill that mission. Darkness descends on the earth from noon until 3pm. At that time Jesus cries out to God and dies. Many of the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee were watching from a distance. Joseph of Arimathea had asked Pilate for Jesus’s body for burial. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock. After he rolled a large stone at the door of the tomb, he went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting in front of the tomb. “O God, there is not much to say, for it is a time of listening, waiting, watching. Hearts are heavy as we witness the crucifixion again this day. Forgive us for our own betrayals. [long silence.] Forgive us for our own desertion. [long silence] Forgive us for not raising our voices against injustice. [long silence] Oh God, forgive us, as we pray with sighs too deep for words. [long silence] With your help, we walk through this dark night of the soul, knowing already that the resurrection comes and that we are not left forever in despair. Until that Easter morn, O God, sustain us in the darkness, teach us to walk to the cross and know its’ meaning before we move on. [silence] Amen.” Day 377 | Wednesday, 31 March 2021
“Loving God, walk with us on the road to Calvary. Hold us close so we might see your love in the midst of the twists and turns. Let us see how the palms of honor and the shouts of praise get dried and twisted into cries for a crucifixion. Let us feel the bumps of denial, the rocks of betrayal and the dark night of prayer. Let us feel the heavy weight of the cross and know Christ carried it for us. Holy God, place us in the story so we might see our weakness but learn of your grace. Take us through the twists and turns on the road to Calvary and lead us to the glory of Easter. Amen.” On this day of Holy Week I lift up the warning parables in Matthew 24:45-25:46. “Wise servants are those who fulfill their duties in preparation for their master’s unexpected return. Christians are to be faithfully working at the Lord’s business while Jesus is away; this is the business of 25:34-40. We read the parable of the ten young bridesmaids, five who were wise and five who were foolish. It ends with the reminder to keep alert. This is followed by the parable of the valuable coins. The chapter concludes with a judgement which contains the familiar words in verse 45: “I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.” Chapter 26 begins with the plotting to kill Jesus, which has been the desire of the temple priests since Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. 3 Then the chief priests and elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest. 4 They were plotting to arrest Jesus by cunning tricks and to kill him. They did agree that it should not be done at Passover. “Passover is a yearly festival to remember and celebrate God’s liberation of Israel from Egypt.” Next, we read of the anointing of Jesus with very expensive perfume. Once again, the disciples do not understand what is happening and claim that this is a waste. 8 When the disciples saw what was happening, they were furious. "That's criminal! 9 This could have been sold for a lot and the money handed out to the poor." 10 When Jesus realized what was going on, he intervened. "Why are you giving this woman a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. 11 You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives, but not me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, what she really did was anoint me for burial.” “Anointing the head is an act reserved for priests or kings. This act is symbolic preparation for burial. In Matthew, this woman’s act of faithfulness begins the preparation for Jesus’ death, and it is women to whom the risen Christ first appears.” I want to conclude today’s journey with Judas. 14 That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the cabal of high priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They settled on thirty silver pieces. 16 He began looking for just the right moment to hand him over. “We know Easter is coming, but we pray, loving God, that you would hold us on the path of small steps. Take us slowly through this week so we may truly feel, clearly see and tenderly know the depths of your love, which you shared with us in the life of Jesus. Let us take a small step to see our own denials - especially the denial of our own self-worth. Let us take a small step to face our own fears and angers - fear that we will be left alone, anger that erupts like Peter's sword. Let us take a small step on the path to encounter our betrayals - especially of those we love and care for most. Loving God, walk us through pain and searching, be with us through doubt and despair, and lead us to the joy of Easter. In Jesus name Amen” Day 376 | Tuesday, 30 March 2021
“Holy God, walk with us this week, take us deep into the events of Jesus' life and reveal to us our own complicity in the trials and betrayals of life. Help us not only to examine our fears that lead to tragic actions but also to look at the unworthy places we put our hope. Ultimately, God, draw us closer to you, to know the mystery of your love that overcomes darkness and death and to feel Easter rise in us like the morning sun. Holy God, stay with us. Amen.” Continuing our journey through this Holy week, I will pick up on the passion story as told in Matthew. The Pharisees continue testing Jesus. 22:35 One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: 36 "Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" 37 Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' 38 This is the most important, the first on any list. 39 But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' 40 These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." Who were the Pharisees – “Pharisee a member of a Jewish sect that flourished during the 1st century b.c. and 1st century a.d. and that differed from the Sadducees chiefly in its strict observance of religious ceremonies and practices, adherence to oral laws and traditions, and belief in an afterlife and the coming of a Messiah.” A modern day Pharisee is a sanctimonious, self-righteous, or hypocritical person. “In first-century Israel, Sadducees were a religious faction that wielded societal power in nearly every aspect. These men hated Jesus and were the Jewish aristocrats of their day, known as much for their wealth and corruption as for their religious devotion.” “A member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition, emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone.” In Matthew 23, Jesus condemns these legal experts. Several times Matthew repeats the verse “How terrible it will be for you, legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites!” Jesus knew that these people did not have the best interest of the people in mind. I suppose that we might compare them today to politicians who think only of themselves and have the idea of “What’s in it for me?” Or, to keep it in the religious world, we might compare the far right and the far left to the Pharisees and Sadducees because of the lack of open mindedness and flexibility. Jesus literally cries over what has happened to Jerusalem, as the chapter ends. Chapter 24 continues with Jesus’ prophetic critique. While sitting on the Mount of Olives with his disciples, he issues a warning about 11: “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” V 24: “False christs and false prophets will appear, and they will offer great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even those whom God has chosen.” In this chapter we hear the admonition v 42: “Therefore, stay alert! You don’t know what day the Lord is coming.” V 44: “Therefore, you also should be prepared, because the Human One will come at a time you don’t know.” “Loving God, hold us close so we may look at the depths of our souls and the agony of your Son and not turn away. Let the awareness of our own denials and betrayals lead us to the throne of mercy, where living water washes away our grief and fills us with abundant new life. Holy God, open our hearts and minds to your confronting and healing Word. Bring us through this week to the glory of Easter and a risen Lord. Amen Day 375 | Monday, 29 March 2021
Yesterday I indicated that the Passion narrative from Matthew begins at Matthew 21:1 and continues thru Matthew 27:66. There is a great quantity of material in these chapters to review during this week. I will lift up some of the material and encourage you to read through the Passion Narrative. According to Matthew’s version, Jesus goes into the temple after making his entry into Jerusalem. (Mt. 21:12-17) “The temple is the symbolic and religious center of Judaism. Those ‘selling or buying’ and those involved in the ‘currency exchange’ were merchants practicing normal trade transactions for sojourners arriving in Jerusalem without proper sacrifices or coinage. Doves were sacrifices bought and used by the poor.” Jesus was not happy with the temple being used for profit making. This is one occasion where we see Jesus with a temper. He reminded those present that “My house will be called a house of prayer.” Only Matthew records Jesus’ healing of the ‘blind and lame’ to continue the healing ministry. The next day, Jesus returns after spending the night in Bethany. First, he curses a fig tree which was symbolic of the people of Israel. Here we read the verse If you have faith, you will receive whatever your pray for. The temple leadership confronts Jesus about his authority, but he returns with a question of his own which they do not answer. Because they do not answer, neither does Jesus. Jesus follows this exchange with the Parable of two sons, the parable of the tenant farmers and the parable of the wedding party – where “Many people are invited, but few are chosen.” This is a week when the Pharisees and Sadducees try very hard to catch Jesus off guard so that they might challenge who he is and bring charges against him. In the next section of chapter 22 in Matthew, the trap against Jesus centers around taxes. 17 So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 18 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, "Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Do you have a coin? Let me see it." They handed him a silver piece. 20 "This engraving - who does it look like? And whose name is on it?" 21 They said, "Caesar." "Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his." 22 The Pharisees were speechless. The plan didn’t work the way they had hoped. The next plot is to trick him about the resurrection. 30At the resurrection we're beyond marriage. As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. 31 And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don't you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, 32 'I am - not was - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.' The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living." A Prayer of Confession for Holy Week “Hold us close, patient God, for we know how hard this week can be. We see our own failures mirrored in the Passion story. We know we betray the trust given to us. We let our children down. We avoid the eyes of the homeless. We treat your creation with indifference and abuse. We deny your love by covering up our talents, hiding behind low self-esteem, looking to others to lead the way. We are frightened by the costliness of following you and fear that we will be found fleeing the scene or joining in with the accusing crowd. Loving God, hold us close so we may move through the shadows, confront the darkness and rejoice in the surprising triumph of your stronger-than-death love. Through Jesus, we pray. Amen.”  Day 374 | Sunday, 28 March 2021 – PALM SUNDAY
The assigned Scripture readings for Palm Sunday are: Liturgy of the Palms: Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29. Liturgy of the Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54. I will be sharing the Liturgy of the Palms today with the intention of following the Liturgy of the Passion throughout the week. Matthew 21:1-11 Entry into Jerusalem CEB 21 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. 2 He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. 4 Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, 5 Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.8 Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, in the highest!” 10 And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” “Jerusalem was the central city of first century Judaism. Bethpage is a couple miles outside of Jerusalem. Locating a donkey and a colt is unique to Matthew; the other Gospels mention only one animal. In addition to the disciples, the crowds also have some awareness of this royal occasion, as they spread out “clothes” and “palm branches” and shout songs of praise; “Hosanna” literally means “save (us) now” and is a reference to God’s deliverance over enemies. The “son of David” title is repeated throughout Matthew. Jesus has also been referred to as a “prophet”.” CEB – p 1234 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” words: Jeanette Threlfall, 1873 1. Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang, through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. 2. From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait. 3. "Hosanna in the highest!" that ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King. O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice, and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice! A Prayer for Palm/Passion Sunday “God of all life, loud hosannas and thundering earthquakes, children's laughter and disciples' tears, journey with us this week into the depths of this final drama, where we watch ourselves in the faces of the crowd and see how costly is Christ's love for us. God of all life, journey with us toward Easter, toward the light that overcomes darkness, toward the love that overcomes death. God of all life, hold those we love whose future feels like the darkness of Good Friday, and whose Easter has not dawned. Amen.” Day 373 | Saturday, 27 March 2021
The weather of this past week has really made things pop open in a wonderful Spring fashion. Around our home we have mini daffodils in full bloom, snow drops which have been opened for over a week, hyacinths, our Lenten Rose is open and crocus are popping up in the front yard. The maple trees in the back and fully budded. Robins are around the yards and the Red Winged Black Birds are singing to one another. Other varieties of birds frequent our feeders as does our neighborhood squirrel. The pesky flock of starlings makes frequent stops as well. Spring is always a welcome season as we watch the earth come back to life. As I am appreciating the joy of seeing the spring flowers around the house on this day before Palm Sunday, I am reminded that Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week is a week of darkness for we Christians. I intend to take us through the week, a week of passion, by paying attention to what was going on in Jesus’ ministry and life. All too often, worshipers go from the celebration of Palm Sunday to the Joy of Easter Sunday without taking time to focus on the events of the week. Let me spread the Palm Sunday event out to a couple days by sharing the scripture from John 12:12-15 today from the Message. 12 The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. 13 They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name! Yes! The King of Israel! 14 Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it: 15 No fear, Daughter Zion: See how your king comes, riding a donkey's colt. One of the Palm Sunday Hymns is “All Glory, Laud and Honor” words: Theodulph of Orleans 8-9th century; trans. By John Mason Neale, 1851. REFRAIN: All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. Thou art the King of Israel, thou David's royal Son, who in the Lord's name comest, the King and Blessed One. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. The company of angels are praising Thee on high, and we with all creation in chorus make reply. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went; our prayers and praise and anthems before Thee we present. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. To Thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise; to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring, who in all good de-light-est, thou good and gracious King. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. Almighty God, as we prepare ourselves for the observance of Palm Sunday, guide our thoughts and prayers towards obedience to your will for us at this time in our lives. We come to this Holy Season appreciating the new life we witness in the earth. We give thanks for the colors of spring flowers and the joy with which our hearts are filled. Help us pause to reflect on the journey Jesus will make during this week. Lord, Hear our prayers. Amen. Day 372 | Friday, 26 March 2021
As we draw closer to holy week, I thought I would share another Hymn from the theme Passion and death. This one is “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”. There are a couple Scripture references for this hymn written by John Bowring in 1825 and music by Ithamar Conkey in 1849. One reference is Galatians 6:14. 14 But as for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through him, and I have been crucified to the world. The second is 1 Corinthians 1:18: 18 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. 1 In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. 2 When the woes of life o'ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me. Lo! it glows with peace and joy. 3 When the sun of bliss is beaming light and love upon my way, from the cross the radiance streaming adds more luster to the day. 4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide. 5 In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. “There are intriguing stories about the writers of both the lyrics and the melody of this old hymn. It is said, but not confirmed, that Englishman John Bowring was inspired to write the words when he observed a destroyed cathedral in Macao, Hong Kong area, where he was at one time the governor. Only the front wall was still standing, topped by a large metal cross, blackened with age. This is similar to the finding of a cross-shaped metal beam in the ruins of the World Trade Centre, which people used as a makeshift place of worship.” “The story behind the composition of the melody, named Rathbun , has been verified. Ithamar Conkey was the organist at Central Baptist Church in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1849. The pastor had been preaching a series of sermons on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. One rainy Sunday, only one choir member arrived, much to Conkey’s disappointment. He was so keenly discouraged that after he had played the prelude, he closed the organ and went home, unnoticed by the congregation. Sitting at his piano, he contemplated the pastor’s sermons as well as the words of the above hymn. He then composed what was a new tune, and called it Rathbun . The reason for this title? The name of the only loyal choir member who had shown up that Sunday was Beriah S. Rathbun!” “The cross has been the most significant symbol of the Christian faith throughout church history. It is said that as many as 400 different forms or designs of it have been used – the usual Latin Cross, the Greek Cross (all parts of the cross of equal length), the Budded Cross (each arm with three buds representing the Trinity), etc. Regardless of the design, the symbol of the cross should always remind us of the price that was paid by the eternal God for human redemption.” Today: what does the symbol of the cross mean to you? Do you have a favorite cross? |
Rev. Douglas Knopp, Pastor EmeritusArchives
April 2021
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