View as Webpage

Morning Devotion for the Season of Easter

April 17, 2023

Emily Cooper, Deaconess

The Invitatory

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Reading: Romans 8:35-39

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;

  we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones

I can recall that the first time I heard this passage read in such a way that it caught my attention was at a wedding, which took place in the summer of 1974 in the full swing of the beginning of the Jesus Movement. The bride and groom had become followers during college. I took it to mean that they measured the strength of their love and commitment to one another by this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans. But, of course, it has far more wide ranging implications than the underscoring of one’s wedding vows. .

Paul asks plainly:” Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” Since we cannot fully account for all that life may bring to and demand of us, one can only imagine the myriad situations, their daunting and frightening consequences that flow unchecked through one’s mind, with the accompanying heart palpitations, perspiration popping and stomach clenching reactions following closely thereafter: It is enough to cause one to run away screaming, in total panic. We simply cannot account for all that might challenge us in life to the point that we might lose faith. Here we are placed in the most uncomfortable position of utter helplessness and powerlessness. We must see the tradition of “rugged individualism” brought to its knees as an affectation which we have crafted for ourselves.

Paul’s list in this case is remarkably short, given our experience of his ability to construct such lists. It is frightening enough’ yet, in one sentence he proclaims the true peril for humankind, that in many ways we are being killed every day, unbeknownst to us, for the sake of the Gospel. Paul knows how to hold an audience posed on the brink of utter mayhem. He does so by offering most powerful words of reassurance, hope and faith.” For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is true because of God’s own act, God’s own gift of his Son for us. Indeed, it is God himself who works all things together for our good. Salvation is not merely a matter of deliverance from unpleasant circumstances. The powers at work in the world, powers of sin that are greater than the sum of individual acts, stand arrayed against God’s plan for human life and flourishing. What is won for us is rescue from cosmic enemies. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s great denial of any of the efforts of such forces to bring God’s purposes for creation to naught.

These few verses assure and announce one of the finest and most profound expressions of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are magnificent words in their assurance and proclamation of the sovereignty of God who has made known salvation for all in Jesus Christ. “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us”

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.