Following Those Prints

by Bishop Ogles

 

Once on a day of Joyful Beauty and air pristine

I happened on the trail, at Jordan's Banks,   where our Lord had trod, 

And saw there in the stony sand agleam

The footprints of his nail-pierced feet upon the sod.

 

Along the shore of Galilee's coast

A fishing boat with sides weathered by the tempest's blast

Lay anchored now in quiet repose

Silent witness to the Stormy past.

 

Onward down the River Valley green

The Footprints led to Bethany

And on the way an opened Tomb

Whose Lazarus rose as beckoned lovingly.

 

On across the western plains to Sychar's well

That Jacob dug for all to quench a thirst

The prints paused briefly for a Woman Lost

Mixed there with others who came as did the first.

 

Quite steady on the prints led to the Temple Mount

Where tables, overturned in fury hot,

At which the money changers made there count

And fled the Master's blistering reproach of all their lot.

 

Straight on the steps led through the narrow Way

To Pilate's seat foreboding, proud and dark,

Past judgment seat where Peter thrice on that last Day

Denied his love for Christ and missed the mark.

 

Now haltingly they merge on Dolorosa's rocky lane

Where Jesus bore His heavy cross alone

Up Calvary's granite slopes of Crimson Stain

Where last He bled and for our sin atoned.

 

From out the tomb in Garden fair and sweet

The prints led on to Glory high and Great

And up beyond the heavens pearl-decked gates

He now commands the hearts of all of Faith.

 JESUS CHRIST - AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF THE FAITH, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every 

weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the 

cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

 

            We hold a great Book in our hands whose author is God, and which is the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to John 1:1-3 we find “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

            This book is unique because it is written in Heaven and copied by prophets on earth under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. 

            Looking at the dictionary definition of author, we find, 

 

1.     “the writer of a literary work (such as a book)

a famous author”

2.     one that originates or creates something

The Author and Finisher of our Faith is BOTH the writer of this Book and also the Creator of the Earth.

He became the FINISHER of our Faith on the cross when He at last exclaimed, “It is Finished!” Remember?  “³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 1930 That exclamation thunders down the annals and corridors of all eternity past, present and future. It was the seal of the plan of God for the salvation of His elect people from the Fall of Adam to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and to those of us who were called to life in the New Testament promise fulfilled in Christ our Lord while we were yet dead in trespasses and sin, but were made alive (quickened) by the Holy Spirit of God. (see Ephesians 2:1-6): 

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: ³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵ Even ^bwhen we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; ⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

We often hear that salvation is a free gift, and so it is to the recipient of so great a blessing, but please consider the infinite immensity that our salvation cost both the Father and the Son. Our salvation came at enormous cost – a cost beyond any human measure to repay.

We must not view our gift of salvation in the same sense as that of the unforgiving servant who was forgiven such an unbearable burden of debt by the king that no man could have repaid; however, he was forgiven that enormous debt and immediately went out and found a man who owed him a small sum which he could not immediately repay. The unforgiving servant then had the man arrested and thrown into prison. When the king learned of this unscrupulous act, he had the unforgiving servant thrown in prison until he could repay his enormous debt. Of course, he never could have done so from behind the bars of the prison dungeon.

During those unbearable hours that our Lord suffered on the cross, His mind was upon you and me and our salvation. We are told in Isaiah 49:15-16 that He has graven (cut) our names in the palms of His hands:

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, Yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; Thy walls are continually before me.” He watches over His elect, not merely frequently, but CONTINUALLY. Is that not a comforting satisfaction to know?   

 Maundy Thursday Evening Prayer. Lamentation 3:40-58, 17 April 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

 

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. Lamentations 3:40-41

 

                  We observe on Maundy Thursday the institution of the Lord’s Supper. But what is needful in preparation therefor? From the state of our nativity we were stained with the blood of Adam’s sin. Stubbornly, the sinner thereafter clings to the excuse that God has treated him sorely.

In our account today from Lamentations, Jerusalem has fallen. This judgment is brought upon them by nothing other than sin and a disregard of the God who had nurtured and established them a nation. Like the Prodigal of the pigsty, we are not in our right minds until we recognize our depravity in sin and turn from it. We are told in the Gospel of St Luke regarding the prodigal son that in the midst of his plenty, there arose a great famine. He was reduced to slopping the pigs for a merciless master such as Satan is to the sinner. We are then told in Luke 15:17-19 “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” No man is in his right mind until he comes to Christ!

            Flash forward to the same fate of Jerusalem brought about by a sinful disregard for God and His Law in 70 A.D. This same fate was facing the people of God during the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies of Titus. They bore the unimaginable horror of eating rats and human flesh out of ravaging hunger. They had blamed the Lord for this great judgment, but to whom did the blame truly belong? This sad estate was due to their own disobedience to God. Some thirty years before the siege of Jerusalem, these people had crucified the Son of God at Golgotha with the Roman gentile power as an accomplice. Christ had foretold of the destruction of the Temple in great detail, and now that time was upon them. “No stone shall be left upon another.”

We see like circumstances that faced Israel at its destruction and bondage in Babylon of previous years. For a great time, the people blamed God for their plight and calamity. They had arrived, as the prodigal son, at a point beyond hope of any means of salvation and pardon. It is at such a moment that the egregious sinner realizes no one is to blame, neither God nor the elements of nature, for his sad estate, except him alone. When he comes to that point of admitting that he, himself, is the culprit, the hope of redemption remains the only hope. “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

            We see in today’s text from Lamentations a nine-fold judgment upon the dispairing city:

 

1.     God has not pardoned. (vs42) Why? Because they had failed to repent.

2.     He has covered them with anger (vs43) Actually the anger was the result of their own sinful dispositions.

3.     God, they claimed, ad persecuted them. After a life of debaucher, how often the sinner blames God for his plight. Remember Naomi? She had left Bethlehem Judah (the City of Praise and blessing) and had gone into a far country (away from God) into Moab. After losing all, she returns to Bethlehem. She told the women at the gate that God had dealt harshly with her – in fact, it was she who left god, not the other way around.

4.     They accused the God whom they had rejected of committing them to death without pity.

5.     They accused God of failing to hear their prayers. Why so? “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalms 66:18

6.     They accuse God for making them the refuse of the people. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ Matthew 7:13-14

7.     God had allowed their enemies to slander them. Really! They refuse to take blame for their own depravity.

8.     God had permitted fear and a snare to overtake them. But, truly, they walked into that fate with their eyes open.

9.     God had sent desolation and e=destruction upon them. We are judged by our own actions. Psalm 1 – “Blessed is the man that standeth not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor walk in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Of course, the opposite approach leads to a terrible destruction.

 

      So what resort has a man when his sins pile up as mountains of scorn, and all hope escapes his 

      grasp?

He acknowledges his own faults and sins. He repents and turns to the God His Maker. That is the answer. Jeremiah provides this counsel beginning at verse 55 of today’s text: “ I called upon thy name, O 

Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. 

Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the 

causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” (vs 55-58)

      When we feel ourselves abandoned by God, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the 

Lord.” It is the eternal remedy for our sorrows and separation from a loving Father. We observe the Lord’s 

Supper in observance of that first institution thereof on Maundy Thursday, and we do so after repeating a 

communal confession of sins committed by both THOUGHT, WORD & DEED:

   ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge        and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

      In the recitation of our prayers and praise, let us avoid taking the Lord’s name in vain. Let us 

concentrateon the very words and phrases we are reciting. Simply repeating our prayers without thought 

renders no blessing and leaves us without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

 

In the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

 Devotion on the Crimson Worm as a Type of Christ Thursday before Easter 18 April 2025 Anno Domini

 

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. (Psalms 22:6)

 

            This devotion addresses an obscure and little known Type of Christ given in the 22^nd Psalm – a Messianic Psalm. A Messianic Psalm is one that relates to Jesus Christ. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44) This Psalm is of particular note for it quotes the very words of Christ from the Cross in its first verse: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Psalms 22:1) The first half of this Psalm 22:1-21 reveals the suffering of Christ on the Cross. The second half (vv 22-31) describe His resurrection joy! The specific reference of the Type to which I refer is that of the Crimson Worm. I first wrote of this in a devotion in the late 90’s. It is an amazing Type whose image is near perfect with that of Christ on the Cross.

            Before advancing further, let us examine the word used in Psalm 22:6 for ‘worm.’ In the Hebrew language, this word is ‘tola’ ath’ which means crimson, or scarlet, worm. How could Jesus possibly be compared to a Scarlet, or Crimson, Worm? Well, in many points as we shall see. While living in Iran (old Persia), I happened to observe, often, large bloody spots on the white oak trees lining the boulevards of Esfahan. On inquiry, I was told that these red blood spots were caused by the crimson worm. This particular species, coccus ilicis, has an interesting life cycle that commends itself to comparison to Christ on the cross. The dye from these worms was used to color garments red in Jesus’ day. Of course, red was the color favored by the wealthy and was very expensive to produce. The color of red, or scarlet, is used in the Bible to describe how revealing are our sins: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

(Isaiah 1:18)

            The female of this species will seek out a certain kind of tree when she is ready to produce young. She climbs the tree, just as Christ mounted the Cross, at her own volition. If the Crimson Worm does not climb the tree, her young family cannot be realized. If Christ had not, at His own volition, allowed Himself to be crucified, His family – the Church – would not have been possible, nor would the coming of the Holy Ghost: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

            When the Crimson Worm has reached a certain position on the tree (usually a point beneath the first branches of the tree), she attaches her body to the tree in such a manner that it cannot be removed without tearing it apart. How like the nails in the hands and feet of our Lord! She then lays her eggs which are deposited just beneath her stomach. When her young are hatched, they feed upon her living body.  Do we not, likewise, feed upon that Bread of Heaven which Christ is to us? And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. …. I am the bread which came down from heaven. (John 6:35, 41)

            When the young grubs can survive without the mother, she begins to die and, as she dies, she exudes a crimson gel that covers her babies. From this point on, they shall be like her – CRIMSON! The dye also covers an area about six inches in diameter on the tree and is indelible in its nature. All who in future years pass the tree will see the blood spot where this Crimson Worm died. All who come to Christ for the saving of their souls must first see the blood of Calvary.  

            Now in death, the Crimson Worm curls into a small knot and, after three days, turns snow white: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Amazing that the life and work of Christ on earth was sealed on the third day at His resurrection when He sealed that work with newness of life. He rose that we might rise. The Crimson Worm, now white, dries to a powder and falls to the ground.

            WHY did Christ suffer and die for you and me? Because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Heb 9:22), and that sacrifice must be one without blemish or guilt. Jesus Christ is the one and only substitute who could qualify to be the atoning Lamb whose blood could redeem us. The ONLY one in all of time and eternity. And He was willing to make the uttermost sacrifice for sinful man.

            Remember that first Passover in Old Egypt when God gave a meaningful foreshadowing of Christ to the people of Israel in bondage? Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. (Ex 12:3-7) Is your soul sealed under that blood of an innocent and unblemished lamb? For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. (Ex 12:12-14)

            When the Angel of the Lord broods over the eternity of your years, shall He see the Blood and Passover you, dear Reader? 

            Do we not observe that same Passover in the Church today by means of the Lord’s Supper?

            Friends, are you covered with that Blood shed on Calvary’s Cross? Are you now and forever like Him in your will to obey the Father?  Do you feed on the living Body of Christ daily by devouring His Word? Do you see the beauty of that wonderful Personage (Jesus Christ) symbolized in the Crimson Worm? 

May it be so in your faith and living.

 Maundy Thursday Devotion (Morning) for 18 April 2025 Anno Domini , the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

¹⁸ I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. ¹⁹ Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. ²⁰ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. ²¹ When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ²² Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. ²³ Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. ²⁴ Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. ²⁵ He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? ²⁶ Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. ²⁷ And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. ²⁸ Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. ²⁹ For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. ³⁰ He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.  ³¹ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. ³² If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. ³³ Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. ³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

     ³⁶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. ³⁷ Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. ³⁸ Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.  (John 13:18-38)

 

After washing the disciples’ feet, the Lord says that they are clean altogether if their feet of travel are clean, but He adds: “Ye are not all clean.” (John 13:11) There are times when an entire church is blessed beyond measure, but there are some present whose hearts are full of treachery. As whited sepulchers, they appear beautiful and varnished, but are rotting inside. Christ continues: “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” There is one Judas Iscariot whose feet Jesus lovingly bathed even knowing what was in his heart to do. Christ always KNOWS His own! Though there may be many wolves in sheep’s clothing lurking about the sanctuary, Christ knows sheep from wolves.  He tells them beforetimes so that they will remember and believe all that He has spoken to them. 

 

“When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” When one has traveled through many adventures with another purporting to be a close friend, imagine the pain of heart in realizing that the one for whom you have loved and done many kindnesses, beyond measure, will betray you.  If you will again recall daVinci’s painting of the Last Supper, you will note that Judas sits to the right of our Lord clutching in his right hand the money bag. All faces are reflecting light from the torches except that of Judas. His face is in shadow. The salt shaker has been turned over on its side. To spill salt was a bad omen in the olden days. Peter holds a knife pointed away from Judas’ back. This signifies that Judas will die by violence, but not at another’s hand. Our Lord has said that it would have been better for Judas had he never been born. (Matthew 26:24). 

 

“He it is, to whom I shall give a sop.” Jesus leaves no doubt regarding the man of perdition.  “And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him.”  Who keeps the door to your heart? If you are truly Christian, Christ is the Door! But the door to the heart of Judas was open to Satan to come and go as he pleased.  ‘When a strong man, well armed, keepeth his house, his goods are secure. But when a stronger than he comes, he will take the house and spoil his goods.’ Our goods are filthy rags apart from the righteousness of Christ. Christ can drive out the interloper and take possession of the house (heart). But Judas made no such provision to invite Christ as his heart’s doorkeeper. Christ handed the sop to Judas! “He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.” Please consider this deeply for your own soul’s benefit. Having known and received the blessings of God, dare we betray Him by our conduct? Judas, a most tragic figure, went out from the Supper “and it was night!” Such an Eternity of night in Hell did Judas go out into.  He went out into the darkness, and he came again under cover of darkness, to the Garden with guards in tow to betray Jesus. What a terrible indictment and predicament for such a one as Judas.

 

“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” It is likely that the diciples would not want to come there with there present state of faith. Christ now re-emphasizes His overriding commandment: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” We are to love one another as Christ loved us. Husbands, do you love your wives as Christ loved the Church? More so, do you love each believer with a like kind of love?

 

“Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”  Peter presumes much of himself: “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.” When Peter was in the presence of Christ, he did, indeed, have great courage. It was Peter who thrust his sword at the guard in the Garden and severed his ear which Christ restored. But once he no longer enjoyed the presence of Christ, he became just another coward. He denied Christ three times during the night before His crucifixion. Yet, Christ loved Peter in spite of knowing his every weakness.  That is how He loves you and me. It is not because of our goodness, but in spite of our weakness in living. “Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” I wonder if Peter at the time could even imagine how precisely that prophecy would be fulfilled. A newsman once asked the great British evangelist, Charles Spurgeon, if he possessed the grace to die for his Lord, to which Spurgeon responded, “No, I do not have the grace to die for Christ.” The newsman, with astonishment, replied, “But Dr. Spurgeon, you are the most renowned minister in England. If you have not the grace to die for your Lord, who does have?” Spurgeon said, “I trust when the time comes for me to die for Christ, He will give me the grace at that time.” Have you the grace?

HERE IS A BLESSED LAND (#591), a Hymn Devotion for Wednesday before Easter, 16April 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide 

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

     For those pilgrims who seek after a better city, this hymn is well directed. Its author is Sir Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) to the tune, Beulah, written in1861 by George M. Garrett and sung over the author’s grave at burial. It is both a hymn of longing and of exultant expectation. 

 THERE IS A BLESSED HOME BEYOND THE LAND OF WOE 

1 There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe,

 Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow; 

 Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned, 

 And everlasting light its glory casts around

 2 There is a land of peace, good angels know it well; 

 Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell. 

 Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore 

 Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore. 

 3 O joy all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died, 

 And count each sacred wound in hands and feet and side; 

 To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won, 

 And sing through endless days the great things he has done! 

 4 Look up, you saints of God, nor fear to tread below 

 The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe: 

 Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love. 

 His own most gracious smile will welcome you above.

 1 There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe, Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow; Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned, And everlasting light its glory casts around. The child has lived apart from his Holy Father in Heaven in times of old prior to being called from his alienation by the Holy spirit to the Throne of Grace and Mercy. Having been made alive to that realization of his hope and security in Christ, he is homesick for that Father who has given him the riches of Heaven on earth, yet, he longs to be at the very side of His Lord in those opulent mansions of His making. In this life, he is a pilgrim and a sojourner but has his inheritance on High. A pilgrim travels lightly for he seeks after a better home. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” Hebrews 11:13-14

 2 There is a land of peace, good angels know it well; Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell. Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore. The good angels, not those fallen with Lucifer, are agents and spirits of righteousness that execute God’s will in the lives of the elect. We are all children in God’s eye, and we have the comfort of His oversight: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 There is, at this very moment as we read, the saints of ages past gathered about the Throne of God in adulation of the Triune Godhead – mothers, fathers, and children (even those who were conceived yet never saw the first sunrise. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it jinto the earth. Revelations 8:3-5

 3 O joy all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died, And count each sacred wound in hands and feet and side; To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won, And sing through endless days the great things he has done!” That grand old saint, Fanny Crosby, blind from infancy, filled her wonderful hymns of faith with visions of Christ – visions which we who have eyes are often blind to see. In her glorious hymn, My Savior First of All, Mrs. Crosby laments, and so shall we at the appointed hour:

 “I shall know Him, ( Ishall know Him), I shall know Him, 

And redeemed by His side I shall stand;

 “I shall know Him (I shall know Him), I shall know Him 

By the prints of the nails in His hand.” 

 4 Look up, you saints of God, nor fear to tread below The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe: Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love. His own most gracious smile will welcome you above. The time of our Lord second coming is a mystery to us and to all except the Father; however, He has given us signs by which we may contemplate His soon appearing: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28 We may look about and see many of God’s prophecy presently fulfilled; however, let us not dwell in wonder of the time of His coming, for we may be led to complacency of spirit – let us live each moment as if He were appearing this very day with the armies of Heaven in trail. We have taken up our crosses and must follow Christ in that same Way in which He trod the shores of Galilee in helping and healing; the verdant pastures of the Jordan valley in preaching and teaching; and on the Via Dolorosa to the cross at Calvary in dying to self and living for God and others. Another verse of Crosby’s reads:

 “When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide,

 When the bright and glorious morning I shall see, 

“I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, 

And His smile will be the first to welcome me.”

 And so be it for all who know Him now as Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and King.

 Night in the Garden

By Bishop Jerry Ogles

 

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons . John 18:3

 

 

Out of the darkest Halls of Hell 

Came the marchers with torches raised. 

Into the Garden quiet and still 

They wandered forlorn and crazed. 

 

Up to the Sovereign Lord of Love 

Their spears shining bright in the mist 

With arrogant air and a hateful shove 

They took Him who wouldn't resist. 

 

Now to the head of Scribe and Priest 

Was the Savior led that night, 

And to Herod's Court and Pilate's Seat 

Where Right gave way to the Night. 

 

To the craggy heights of the Lonely Skull 

They took Him and laid Him down 

And into His Hands of Love they drove 

Iron spikes with a terrible Sound! 

 

On His Brow a thorny Crown He wore 

And His flesh was torn and bruised. 

His Heart of Grace grew cold and sore 

As the Spirit of Life was loosed. 

 

The world of woe a Hope has found 

In the Promise made sure by His Death 

And the Saints of God with Faith abound 

In the Fields that their Lord has blessed! 

 

 INDEPENDENCE DAY, Bishop’s Letter for Palm Sunday/Good Friday, 13 April 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.   Matthew 27:21

 

            A certain man was found guilty by the High Court and sentenced to death. The evidence against him was so overwhelming that no one could contest or deny the decision. The man deserved death, and death he would get. The date for his execution was set for Friday, the day of the month when criminals were put to a slow and tortuous death. 

            The man lingered in his cellar jail cell in custody of the authorities with only an occasional serving of bread and water. He could not sleep owing to his restless worry and misery. Suddenly, his sorrowful solitude was interrupted by a burst of excitement as another prisoner was being questioned in the courtyard above his cave-like cell. His curiosity of that event was interrupted when the guards came to drag him out shackled hand and foot. He was dragged across the paddock and up to the balcony of Pontius Pilate. His troubled mind could not comprehend what this could be about. He was drawn up beside a horribly beaten and disfigured man who stood silently by the governor when suddenly, he heard the Roman governor ask, “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas!.” Unbelievably the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas – a murderer and insurrectionist – and the crucifixion of the other so horribly wounded. 

            Though this was the verdict of the multitude, Barabbas remembered hearing Pilate declare Christ innocent, but suffered Him to be crucified, nonetheless. Was it possible for Pilate to be absolved of the guilt of a totally unjust sentence simply by washing his hands?

            That man, Barabbas, was set free while Christ took his place on the cross; and Barabbas represents each one of us. Though the freedom of Barabbas was freedom from a horrible physical death, the freedom that Christ purchased for you and me was one of eternal life. We were convicted in our bondage to sin, and Jesus took the penalty for our transgressions upon Himself. How relieved was Barabbas, and so should we enjoy an even greater relief. 

            Such is the meaning of our Independence Day in Christ – we are made free from the bondage of sin by our Passover Lamb just as surely as Israel was made free of the yoke of servitude to Egypt at Goshen during the first Passover.

            The victory of our salvation would follow some three days hence following the death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. That victory was sealed by His resurrection from the Garden Tomb on Easter Sunday. What a joy and benefit we have received through no labors or works of our own. Our salvation has come by His righteousness and sacrifice and none of our own. This is the decision of a Sovereign Lord and Father.

            I pray that we will all be mindful of what an immeasurable price has been paid for our salvation from the bondage of sin this Good Friday and following Easter.