Easter popped up on us this year. I am not prepared. I am not ready.
But, was anyone ready for what was to come? Where the disciples? Was Mary, mother of Christ, ready?
I am sure, none of Christ loved ones were ready to see the son of God, the lamb, the truth, the light, the way, all hope, bread of life and shepherd go.
What did they feel? Was it fear? They did not know what his road held. Sometimes we don’t know what our road holds…
Like them, we want to hold on to Jesus, his all things good- for he is our everything. We want to say, “Jesus stay near, – and let evil stay far. Let us be with you. Give us good, good things!”
We know that he is “called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and we want the fullness of it.
May we know the joy of Jesus, but may we also know his pain. For it is the pain that proves he knows our pain. It is his pain that proves we will one day arrive at gain. And it is through his pain that the whole world, for those who believe are delivered from shame.
May we see, and rely on Christ through:
The mockery: When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Mt. 27:35
The pain: The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe. John 19:2
The cost: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
We will be mocked. We will have pain. There is a cost.
Have we considered this?
Because of the cross, we no longer have to fear what comes to injure us, because Jesus lives in us. If he is in us, his power to overcome is extended to everything we face. Imagine that.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Gal. 2:20
So, today, no matter where our hearts have been this week, or this season, let’s bow down, lay low, praise Jesus and thank him for the sweat, the tears and the willpower to stick it through. Let’s look at his crown-laden, bloodied face – and see his victory just moments away. Let’s see our pain too, and our victory awaiting, because the truth is – through Jesus – we are now truly alive!
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ,
and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
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Thank You for your wonderful blogs and reminders for our Christian walk. I very much miss the morning prayer time you do. Praying it works again soon!