Station Sixteen

Acts 2:22-23
"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

 

On the table in front of you are two nails.  These are modern nails, of course, but they are about the size of the nails that would have been used to nail Jesus to the cross.  Think of all of the things that Jesus did with his hands.  He healed.  He lifted the lame to walk.  He reached out to touch the leper.  He pulled little children up into his lap.  He broke bread and gave thanks to his Father.  For which of these crimes were these hands nailed to the tree? 

Jesus, we are to be your hands in this world.  We are to reach out for you.  It should not surprise us then, Lord, when we suffer stabs of persecution since your hands were cruelly nailed to a cross.  Help us Lord to continue to be your hands, in spite of opposition.  Help us to reach the lame, the outcasts, the little children.  And help us always to reach upward in praise to the Father—breaking bread and proclaiming your presence until you come again.