We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.
By Pastor Chris Wheatley, PHS Senior Director of Pastoral Care Services
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” —Titus 2:11
One of the greatest philosophers who ever lived, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote that if we lost the Bible in its entirety, and all that we had instead was a single slip of paper that told us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had died and risen again to save us, we would still have enough for our eternal salvation.
It’s an intentionally provocative idea, that a single statement can have everlasting implications, and it is the heart of what we at Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) mean when we point to “faith alone” in our Christian ministry value. But we should be grateful that we have more than this, because the biblical story provides even more than a salvation history. It encapsulates all human existence, from family squabbles to love at first sight, from disastrous wars to miraculous renewals.
And during Lent, it provides us with a chance to walk alongside Jesus himself as he prepares for his own death. I recently attended a discussion group at Maranatha used the “Way of the Cross” to allow residents to engage with the way Christ’s experiences reflected their own and showed a faithful way to endure hardship.
I was moved by a man who talked about times he has been betrayed by a friend like Judas. I was inspired by a woman who pointed out that it didn’t cause Jesus to become bitter. They saw in this story not only our past, but a path into the future as well.
We walk with Jesus to learn how to endure life’s sufferings with grace and love, to die with purpose and hope, and in the end, to rise like our Lord. Every PHS community will be using the “Way of the Cross,” a PHS devotional based upon St. John’s passion story, during Lent this year. Ask the campus pastor for details, and accept my invitation to take part in the story that can change everything.
Rev. Chris Wheatley serves PHS as Senior Director of Pastoral Care Services. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor and has served in hospice, eldercare, hospital, HIV/AIDS and congregational settings. He and his wife Nicole are perpetually outnumbered by cats and Dobermans.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian ministry.
