Redeemer Devotions for January 11, 2013

Today I will not be including past readings. The reason is simple. In a short time,

the devotions will be posted on Redeemer's new website and there will be a stream

of the past 20 devotions. So from now on one at a time. I will make note when the

website changes.



For today I want to go back up onto the cross. It does look and it does feel like

the place of utter powerlessness and hopelessness. Wrong on all counts. It is the

position from which we are invited to look into God's future. In most ways it is

a position of powerlessness. There is not much a person could do when you have

been nailed to that would a literally left up on the cross to dry out until you

die. If it take too long - a soldier will assist with the end of a spear. But in

that hopelessness is the creation of a new life. There when the world is ready

to fight back and seek revenge, Jesus forgives. Now, it still looks like it is over

and his adventure was throw on the trash heap, but there is then that rolled back

stone - there is the life that comes back to play after death has had its way for

the moment. When we are on the cross - when we have been dumped into the dark tomb,

there is no way to see resurrection. There is no way to see resurrection when we

enter the adventure of forgiveness. And yet, in our story telling it comes - rest,

be patient. Hope begins when nothing else can be seen. Therefore, the cross is

brimful of hope as it is the way of forgiveness is shown to be the power that takes

us right through what appears to be the end. As I've noted previously, I don't like

this story at this point because I am not one who readily hold onto the gift of

forgiveness. I want revenge. I want my anger to take on the day. But, then there

are those words again - from the cross - from the depths of all that is brutal

and violent and broken: Father forgive them, they know not what they do. What argument

do I have for holding onto my fear and anger and hatred when I am reminded of this

act that I am to follow?!?



O God of love and new life, we have so much need of your Spirit of truth and courage

and forgiveness. Come and stir us up to a faithfulness that reflects your love.

Amen.



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