It's good Friday which means that around the world Christians celebrate the day that Jesus died. And, put so simply, it is a day that could easily be overlooked or under-appreciated.
Even though I have been a Christian since I was a young child, I don't know that I have ever truly mulled over what Jesus went through that day. And if I have, I am new in thinking about GooD FRiDaY today.
Because I understand why He died for me... Because I understand that along with the sacrifice that He made, my sins are covered... Because I understand that He made the ultimate sacrifice... I think that I have often forgot how gruesome and cruel His death truly was. I find myself often thanking the Lord for dying for me, little ole me. But I cannot ever remember imagining myself there watching His death.
What would it have felt like to have been a bystander on that GooD FRiDay years and years ago? Watching people mock Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head and a purple robe around Him -- mocking His claim to be king. What would it have been like to watch people flogging his body and wripping his skin off? Watching Him suffer on a cross with thieves?
Witnessing Him being speared and blood gushing out. What would my reaction have been? Would I have believed?
I cannot imagine the horror that the Marys and John felt. I cannot imagine the defeat and sadness that they must have felt on this night. The darkness. To see their Savior humiliated.
And yet, His last words, after taking a sip of sour wine, were "It is finished." The Lord knew, that he was the "lamb" of God, making the ultimate sacrifice. While he felt the pain of all of the sins of every person, and while He was humiliated and dying, there would be no other sacrifice necessary after His. A devastating day... that means something so GooD for those who believe.
Thanks be to God!
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
FouR DaYS
I have been struck lately with God's clear message to me to have patience and just wait. In church on Sunday, the pastor shared a message based off of John 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. In the past when I have heard sermons on this chapter, the concentration has always been on the fact that Jesus raised Lazarus and is able to do anything for us.
But, the pastor focused in on something different. He focused on the four days before. Lazarus had been ill. Martha and Mary sent a message to Him expressing that His friend was ill, yet Jesus lingered. And he lingered. He lingered on purpose.
Mary and Martha doubted. They believed that had Jesus come earlier He could have saved their brother.
The disciples doubted. The 12 men who followed Jesus and had first-hand knowledge of His ability to perform miracles, doubted. They doubted Him.
And, the pharisees doubted and challenged Jesus.
Yet, He lingered. And in his own time, after four days (the amount of time when Jews believed that people were really dead -- when their soul had left their bodies), only then did Jesus go to see Lazarus. After raising Lazarus, he had a conversation with God saying, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that YOU sent me."
And I am struck by the notion that Jesus is wanting us to believe in His power --- in the fact that God sent Him. Do we believe that God is in control? On a basic level, I do. He is. He is in control of everything.
I believe it.
But on a deeper level, it is one of the hardest things to truly comprehend.
I cannot fathom all that the Lord is capable of doing in my life.
I think that the story of Mary and Martha and the disciples in John is a perfect illustration of our inability as humans to truly grasp God's power... so we doubt. We give up within the four days.
But, just like Jesus promised to Mary and Martha that Lazarus' illness would not end in death, whatever disappointment, struggle, waiting period, unhappiness -- whatever illness we are going through, it won't end there. God is powerful and will bring us through. If we believe, He will raise us out of it!
1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.
But, the pastor focused in on something different. He focused on the four days before. Lazarus had been ill. Martha and Mary sent a message to Him expressing that His friend was ill, yet Jesus lingered. And he lingered. He lingered on purpose.
Mary and Martha doubted. They believed that had Jesus come earlier He could have saved their brother.
The disciples doubted. The 12 men who followed Jesus and had first-hand knowledge of His ability to perform miracles, doubted. They doubted Him.
And, the pharisees doubted and challenged Jesus.
Yet, He lingered. And in his own time, after four days (the amount of time when Jews believed that people were really dead -- when their soul had left their bodies), only then did Jesus go to see Lazarus. After raising Lazarus, he had a conversation with God saying, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that YOU sent me."
And I am struck by the notion that Jesus is wanting us to believe in His power --- in the fact that God sent Him. Do we believe that God is in control? On a basic level, I do. He is. He is in control of everything.
I believe it.
But on a deeper level, it is one of the hardest things to truly comprehend.
I cannot fathom all that the Lord is capable of doing in my life.
I think that the story of Mary and Martha and the disciples in John is a perfect illustration of our inability as humans to truly grasp God's power... so we doubt. We give up within the four days.
But, just like Jesus promised to Mary and Martha that Lazarus' illness would not end in death, whatever disappointment, struggle, waiting period, unhappiness -- whatever illness we are going through, it won't end there. God is powerful and will bring us through. If we believe, He will raise us out of it!
1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.
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