I love that line I've seen many places in this past week.
This is the most sacred of Holy days for the Christian. If we don't believe in the resurrection of Christ, the rest doesn't mean much. There are good people who worship God in many ways... "God as they know him" is the popular phrase. What it truly means to be "Christian" is what we believe in our hearts without a doubt or wavering; it is about who Jesus is and what he came to do. Jesus was, indeed, Heaven's Special Forces on a mission that took about 33 earth years to complete. In reality, the clock is God's timing, which is a mystery to us. The earthly timing had to be just right, from our point of view, too. His earthly parents had to be carefully chosen and ready to take on the gifts and challenges of raising a Holy child. Prophecy had to be fulfilled in very specific ways to bear proof that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. The perfection and execution of His plan is mind blowing... leaving the mathematicians speechless.
I was thinking this week about his preparation for what we know as "Holy Week" from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday. How did Jesus prepare? What is basic training for crucifixion?
After prayer and reading, I wonder if the real preparation for Calvary happened in the 40 days he spent in the desert fasting and praying. Hungry, thirsty and fully aware of his human skin, Jesus took on Satan's temptations. He endured the hunger and the thirst as a warrior. He was so weak at the end of the spiritual warfare, angels rushed to attend him. He had no human strength left.(See Matthew 4) Today, many faith denominations practice 40 days of giving something up for the Lenten season, honoring Jesus's time of testing in the desert.
I heard a clergy person speak recently about the past weeks of "giving up" many of our favorite things. What is God trying to say? Are listening? Don't misunderstand. I don't believe God sent this disease, but He is allowing it. We have had a chance to slow down and really focus on what we think we need and what we really need.
There is so much to ponder as we celebrate in a unique way this Easter.I find myself remembering that the first Easter was celebrated not in a church, but in a garden near a tomb. A garden is a beautiful place. It is full of birth and rebirth each spring.
How appropriate, right? We are used to celebrating as a congregation... and I do enjoy the unity in a congregational celebration... but I find myself reflecting on Mary Magdalene's weeping in the garden, alone near the tomb.(John 20) It is when Jesus appeared to her first. She felt lost, without a purpose and brokenhearted. Easter for her happened when Jesus gently spoke her name.
Yes, Easter was first celebrated in a garden near a tomb with a handful of women... and, then, in a house with an upper room where scared to death and defeated men were hiding. They ran to the tomb, for seeing is believing, right?
Are we in some ways, closer to that first Easter experience than we even realize? Where will you be when Jesus speaks your name? Where will you sit when you finally hear his voice calling you back into a relationship with him? It is what our souls long for with every breath. It is where there is peace. No matter what situation the world has created for itself, close to Him is where we can breathe deeply again.
We do not need to be discouraged or defeated. Death has been defeated and no longer has a hold on our souls. When we say, "Yes, Lord, you are mine and I am yours." We will drink the cup and eat the bread in memory of His sacrifice, His love, His purpose... and my friends, His victory. We win... because Jesus won.
"He is risen. He is risen, indeed!"
"He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen." Matthew 28:6a
For every soul set free... Satan loses... again. He's a big loser. He's a crabby, lying, cheating, sore loser. That makes me almost giggle.
The church is stretching far and wide today wherever we speak the truth of His resurrection. It is alive and well in the homes and hearts of all who say "Yes to The Best".
Today, I am grateful today is about an empty tomb... not an empty church.
No comments:
Post a Comment