Sunday, April 16, 2017

Resurrection

"After the Sabbath, 
at dawn on the first day of the week, 
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, 
for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, 
going to the tomb, 
rolled back the stone and sat on it. 
His appearance was like lightning, 
and his clothes were white as snow.  
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook 
and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, 
'Do not be afraid, 
for I know that you are looking for Jesus, 
who was crucified.  
He is not here; 
he has risen, 
just as he said. 
Come and see the place where he lay.'"

                   ~~ Matthew 28:1-6 NIV ~~



Friday, April 14, 2017

Friday (Reprinted from 4/3/2015)

"Then Simon Peter drew a sword 
and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, 
the high priest's servant...
Simon Peter followed along behind...
Peter stood outside the gate... 
[but the woman watching at the gate] let him in. 
The woman asked Peter, 
 "Aren't you one of Jesus' disciples?" 
"No," he said, 
"I am not."... 
                           ~~ John 18:10, 15-18 NLT ~~

He loved Jesus.
So much that he had declared allegiance unto death.
So much that he attacked a member of the government,
a "police officer".
So much that when others scattered,
he followed.
He loved Jesus with all his heart!
But when push came to shove,
Peter denied even knowing Him,
rather, passing himself off as a curiosity observer,
a rubber-necker.

Jesus had washed his feet!
"Wash all of me!" Peter had impassioned!
Jesus had saved him from certain, harsh punishment just minutes earlier
when He healed the soldier's wound.
But fiery, passionate, dedicated Peter denied his Saviour.
Three times in quick succession.
Because he was afraid.

Jesus had said he would.
Peter had vehemently denied it!
And when he had denied Him the third time,
Peter's guilt and shame most likely nearly crushed him!
As he looked into Jesus' eyes,
he quickly looked down.
He suddenly remembered Jesus' prediction.
And shame and regret and grief washed over him.

As he watched the rest of the story unfold,
the guilt increased.
He watched as his shame ran down the beams of the cross
in Jesus' blood.
And then it was over.
And disappointment and sorrow joined the shame.
And Peter was changed.
Forever.

You know the "Friday feeling"!
We all know it!
We do things,
say things,
feel responsible,
disappointed,
crushed in spirit,
unforgivable.

But Jesus!
Jesus knew Peter!
And He knows us!
And Peter's "Friday" rolled down that cross!
And so did ours!
And we are changed by Friday.
We walk away,
confused,
dejected,
heartbroken,
angry.
But Friday wasn't the end!
Glorious Sunday was coming!
And when it did,
Peter was changed again!
And so are we!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Holy Week (Reprinted from 3/30/15)

"The next day, 
the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem 
swept through the city. 
A huge crowd of Passover visitors 
took palm branches and went down to the road to meet Him. 
They shouted, 
'Praise God! 
Bless the One who comes in the Name of the Lord! 
Hail to the King of Israel!'" 

                                                   ~~ John 12:12-13 NLT ~~


Imagine it!
The adoration!
The love!
The Worship!
It would have been heady stuff!
It would have been easy to grasp hold of and hang on to!

Yesterday's adulation was still fresh that Monday morning.
And as Jesus walked the streets of the city,
people likely still cried out,
"Look! There He is!"
Some likely became followers that day.
While others began to murmur.
"The pharisees are right! Who does He think He is!"
It had begun.
And Jesus knew it had!
He could have stopped it!
But He didn't.
He walked among the people,
wooing them,
looking into their eyes
knowing He would soon die for them,
knowing they would cry for His crucifixion.
And He went forth anyway!
He loved them anyway!
He loved you anyway!
He loved me anyway!

"Truly He was the Son of God!"

May God fill you with wonder
at His sacrifice for you as this Holy week begins!
May you look into His face,
gaze into His eyes,
and watch as your sin disintegrates under the power of His mighty love!



The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him,
and He helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise Him.

                                                                 ~~ Psalm28:7 NIV ~~