X

New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

We “survey” the cross. We don’t just glance at it. We measure it carefully, size it up, consider every angle. Too often, we sanitize the cross, preferring those of smooth wood or shiny metal. The original cross would have been of olive wood, gnarled with human flesh nailed to it. Crucifixion was a gruesome, horrifyingly painful, public humiliation of criminals. Having seen plenty of crosses, the soldiers at the foot of Jesus’ cross didn’t “survey” this one. … They could not see that this was God and that this was the start of a revolution of redemption.

—James C. Howell, Unrevealed Until Its Season: A Lenten Journey with Hymns
(Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

When have you looked closely at a cross and thought about what Jesus did for us? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Christ] himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
—1 Peter 2:24 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, we give you thanks for hymn writers of the past and present. Help us to always have a song of praise in our hearts and minds, especially in times of trouble. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Bring the world together each day through The Upper Room daily devotional. Give to the international editions of The Upper Room here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

2 Comments

  • Jill Posted March 6, 2023 9:52 am

    I cannot say that I have done this. I could probably sing the hymn from memorization, without giving much thought to it. However, I bet the next time I hear it in church – this will come to mind.
    Things are rolling along here at school, on this Monday morning. A meeting under my belt, as well as a class. Just finished up a deposit. Hard to believe, in two weeks our 3rd quarter will close and we will be 75% through the year. It has gone fast for me and it has been a good year.
    The kittens were restless quite a bit of the night last night and I had a difficult time getting to sleep initially. Grateful to have nothing after school – should be able to call it an early evening tonight.
    I checked in with Becky this morning. She slept fairly well last night and her pain is not as pronounced this morning. She has a call into the doctor.

  • Julie Posted March 6, 2023 10:12 am

    I have looked at a cross and thought this as at my last church the stained glass window behind the alter was of Jesus on the cross. I had many oppotunities to ponder this depiction and think on its meaning. I like the scene depicted on my current churches stained glass window behind the alter much better. It is the grave on Easter morning with the women and the stone rolled away. It is the embodiment of Jesus’ triumph and of our gift.
    Yesterday was a day on my own with church and then errands. My one church friend was back after many months. Her husband had Alzheimer’s and had progressed to the point that she was unable to bring him to church anymore. He died last weekend and he is no longer in pain. She has been liberated and although in mourning she is also relishing her newfound freedom.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *