God of unexpected joys and blessings, make this be one of those days filled with grace and wonder in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text today comes from Hebrews 5: 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; 6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (NRSV)
As any commercial plane begins "its initial descent" into an airport, much goes on that prepares the passengers for landing. I am one who likes to hear music while flying and understand that at that point I must remove my headphones, unplug them, put them away as well as to power off the device that is providing the music. The FAA believes that we should all be paying attention upon landing; all for our safety and our own good. We're in that phase of our Lenten Journey. We are being reminded of the readings that we label "not-so-good," namely Jesus' suffering and pain. Today's Epistle is one of those. Jesus' role was to glorify God and was "appointed by the one who said to Him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten You.'" All that Jesus underwent, was for God's glory and our good. The passage reminds us of "loud cries and tears," but still Jesus remained obedient and submissive to God; all to become the source of our "eternal salvation" if we obey Christ.
We must remove the music of distraction in our ears, put away the literature of pleasure from our eyes, make straight the tray table of service, and become attentive to that which God provided for us during this special approaching time of Easter. We should be listening to what God still desires and needs from us, so that others may come to know all that is theirs by faith.
PRAYER: Loving God, may it be so for me and this person making this prayer their own. May the Passion of Jesus be the source of my eternal salvation. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
