Everything Else Pales

Daily Gratitude Year 4-Day 89: Today, I am grateful that everything else pales.

Jesus is risen. The Lamb who was sacrificed has conquered death and He...is...risen!  He is risen indeed. He is the same... but different.  The one who seemed so human, is now filled with the power of resurrection. 

Mary Magdalene did not know him through her tears and distress, until he spoke her name. 
Thomas...a dear friend...wanted to see the nail scars in his hands.
Peter...in awe...but carrying the baggage of his failures.
John...trying to figure out what it means for the next step.

Jesus told Mary Magdalene to wait as she tried to touch him...he had not yet returned to the father.  Interesting that he would wait to show himself to the grieving first...so that hope could be reborn. Then he headed home for what must have been quite the celebration in heaven. Only, to return quickly for another brief season to commission and send out the ones he had taught and trained.  The students will become the teachers. Now...heaven's clock is not on our time, but within our contained time and space...everything happened quickly. 

His time here was only about 33 years. His ministry about three.  His time in the grave three days. His time on earth after the resurrection 40 days...as his ascension is 10 days before Pentecost.  For the more than 500 who witnessed Jesus walking, talking, cooking breakfast and bearing testimony to his victory over death...everything else paled!  Everything. 

More lion than lamb at that moment...and nothing compared to the promise of what comes next.  One thing did not change. His style was not to grandstand or beat anyone into belief. His life bore the testimony of His power.  It all comes down to choice. 

Remember Beanie Babies? "Tickle Me Elmo?"  How about Cabbage Patch Kids? Teddy Ruxpin ring a bell?  Barely, right? How about the latest and greatest in phones or other high tech devices.  We had a "bag phone"!  Here today and gone tomorrow when the next best thing comes along. 

Jesus is not the "next best thing"...but the real thing.  Everything else pales by comparison. 

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all,which is the testimony given at the proper time. -1 Timothy 2:5-6

"Ain't nothing like the real thing baby." Ah....my Earworm (the one who sings the songs stuck in  your head if you are new to the daily gratitude team) is awake and singing old Coke commercials in his best Marvin Gaye voice.  Yes, Jesus is the real thing. 

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! -Psalm 119:10

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 (if we claim verse eleven...we cannot forget thirteen...it is the success guarantee)

 ...that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, -Acts 17:27

"He is actually not far."  He is risen. He is amazing. He is near. 

He is! 

Today, I am grateful that everything else pales.