O Christ, who lived to show what life is like, who died to show that sin is death, who rose to raise us up to life eternal, help us to follow you and love you forever. Amen.[1]
Steadfast, Watchful, Faithful
Colossians 4:2-6 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Warren Wiersbe
The salt of holiness must always flavor our speech. Old Testament Jews used salt in their sacrifices, symbolizing purity and the preservation of that which is good. The Greeks called salt charitas—grace—because it gave flavor to things. Our speech must not be corrupt; salt (God’s grace) holds back corruption. A thoughtless word of criticism, a questionable remark, an angry word—any of these could tear down in a minute whatever Christian testimony others have tried to build up.[2]
T. M. Moore
The answer to the question, “What’s my ministry?” ought to be, Lift up your eyes! That is, look around you. Where you go, the people you’re with, the work you’ve been given to do, the daily opportunities you have for showing Jesus to the world. Your ministry is defined not by what your church offers in the way of programs or services, or what some inventory of spiritual gifts might disclose about your interests or inclinations. Your ministry is defined by your life, by the place in the world field to which Jesus sends you each day for the purpose of making disciples to His glory (Matthew 28.18-20).[3]
PASCHA NOSTRUM[4]
Christ, our Passover
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore, let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Alleluia.[5]
Almighty God,you show those in error the light of your truth so that they may turn to the path of righteousness: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[6]
O God, My Faithful God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).FRIDAY OF EASTER
[1] The Worship Sourcebook, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2004, p. 635.
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 585.
[3] https://www.ailbe.org/columns/revision/whats-my-ministry/
[4] Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 16
[5] 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Romans 6:9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV
[6] Collect for Thursday of Easter Week, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 611.
