Devotional 4-9-14

Luke 23:26 (NIV) “As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”

Have you ever wondered about Simon, this man from Cyrene, who was pulled from the crowd to carry the cross for Christ’s crucifixion?

Simon had come a long way to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony under Roman rule, located on the northeastern coast of present-day Libya. It was nearly 900 miles from Jerusalem, so it must have been important to Simon to have traveled so far.

Simon most likely had heard of Jesus, and no doubt was curious to find Him as he made his way through the large crowd. He heard talk amongst the people that Jesus was on his way to his own crucifixion. But if this man called Jesus was the promised Messiah, why was He about to be crucified? Simon’s answers would have to wait. He was pulled from the crowd by Roman soldiers, who ordered him to carry Christ’s cross.

We are filled with sorrow and disbelief when we read or see portrayed the suffering Jesus endured. His flogging had been cruelly administered, and He would have had open, bleeding wounds. He had been awake for hours, and most likely had had nothing to eat or drink since The Last Supper with His disciples. And so it’s safe to believe that He walked very slowly and in great pain as Simon carried the cross behind Him.

What would Simon have been thinking? He saw the wounds, he heard the noisy crowd shouting at Jesus, but he also noticed many who were weeping. What had happened to place Jesus here? And how long would Jesus suffer on this heavy cross he’d been told to carry? Unlike us, Simon may not have ever known or heard the complete story.

And it is painful to try to comprehend what Jesus was thinking or feeling during His last hours here on earth. We’ve learned from the apostles that He knew what was to happen to him. And He was deserted and betrayed by the disciples, who were his closest friends. How totally alone He must have felt!

With mixed feelings of sadness, then joy, it is good that we hear this story every year during Lent. We hear of and acknowledge Christ’s supreme sacrifice for us. We are reminded by His suffering that He died for us. We grasp the importance of His forgiveness. And we rejoice in His Resurrection and the assurance of eternal life.

Almighty Father, the time is coming when we will again hear the whole story of Christ’s death and resurrection. May its significance remain in our hearts through the rising of the Son on Easter morning.
Amen

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 2-28-13

Tests of Faith
Please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

The Apostle Paul is most likely well known to all of us. He became a Christian when he witnessed the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus. He was chosen by Jesus and whether he knew it or not, he was to become the Gospel’s most devoted and passionate messenger. But his life as a Christian would not be easy. And his faith would be tested.

As a new and devout Christian, Paul faced many undertakings as he traveled throughout the Roman Empire. His mission was to recruit new Christians and help them to establish new churches. And when he was apart from them, he wrote letters to give them encouragement, knowledge, and the motivation to continue growing their church and practice their newly found faith.

In the scripture noted above, Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth indicates that he believes things are not going well there. Their suspected misbehavior is certainly in question. Paul, in his concern, is compelled to remind them of the errors and punishment of their ancestors, who made poor and selfish decisions. He tells them that the events of their misguided ancestors happened for a reason, to be an example of the consequences of their own misbehavior. He cautions them not to repeat those actions which brought punishment to their ancestors, and assures them that they will indeed be tested in their efforts to refocus on their mission in Corinth. It was time for them to turn to God.

(Verses 12 and 13) “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

God can bring about change in anyone, to prepare them for what lies before them. He gave Paul what he needed—strength, wisdom and endurance, to carry out his missionary work. But Paul’s faith was tested along the way, as he endured physical hardship, persecution, and danger. Though he was martyred for his faith in Christ by the Romans he knew God had not abandoned him. I

t’s not always easy being a Christian. We are often challenged, as was Paul, and our faith is often tested. But Paul reminds us that God is faithful, and He gives us what we need to do His will. We are able to do what we think we cannot do. We may need to spend time we think we don’t have to better serve those in need. We are given by God the ability to maintain a positive attitude as we face a long and difficult illness. When we think we just can’t do it, we move forward anyway, not knowing what the outcome may be. But we succeed. Whatever the test may be, God will not abandon us, and we will succeed. D

uring this Lenten Season, let us remember the suffering Christ faced for our salvation. Let us renew our commitment, sustain our faith, and spiritually grow to face whatever trials we may encounter, knowing God is with us, no matter what.

Please read Ephesians 3: 14-21 and share Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth.

Diane Feaganes