April 1, 2013

Good morning all-

While the rest of the world will be waking up today strategizing their April fools jokes, I woke up thinking about the disciples and Jesus.  My family watched the final episode of the Bible last night and as it was in History, the scenes were barbaric and yet, your eyes are riveted to the man that was beaten, broken and nailed to a cross.  The scenes weren't as bad as "The Passion" but they rivaled it and once again I find myself not in the mood to joke but to be serious.

The disciples watched, His mother watched and thousands asked for Him to be crucified.  What does it mean to be crucified for Christ?  Like most humans, I hope it doesn't mean going through what He went through but none of us know what our journey will be and therefore, I have to pause because whatever I have gone through and whatever I will go through was nothing compared to the persecution of Jesus.  He was innocent.  Just think about that for a minute.  In my mind, I know why people don't necessarily understand Jesus and the power of those days.  I get that they want to wander and do what is fun.  I even get that it's hard to believe in something you can't see but History doesn't lie and Jesus was innocent.

As I watched Him get the stripes He wore for me and as I saw the cross being carried, not by just Him but by another man, I realized that there shouldn't be one person that doesn't believe in what He did for humanity that day.  The Lord of Lords, who should have been extolled and praised was sneered at, yelled at and humiliated.  Why?  All so that we could have eternal life.

His last words have penetrated the dark for me and I can see each of the disciples as they were stoned, beheaded, and hung.  It is a picture of men that once were esteemed and now hunted as if they were animals.  There was no where for them to run and so instead, they carried out the final words of Jesus, "To go and preach the gospel."  Even Paul, who would be considered today a brutal murderer became one of the most recounted disciples for Jesus.  He was sent to prison and died for His Lord.  Many would have said that he didn't deserve to kiss Jesus's feet and yet, he is the founder of the church.  Think about that.  A learned man who crucified Jesus's followers and then because Jesus saw fit, He brought Him into His fold and today we have numerous letters to remind us of His journey from killer to Christian.

I don't think the images will leave my mind for some time.  I am a sinner and don't deserve to sit at the feet of God and yet I do.  I get to be in His Holy presence and He reveals to me the promises that were set before time.  I get to read stories of men and women that weren't perfect but that served a purpose, not for themselves, but for Christ.  I am blessed because the Lord of light sought me and won me with every stripe, every thorn and every nail.

I pray that God reveals Himself to you today as He did for me last night and again this morning.  The Bible is the window into knowing and loving our Father.  There is nothing you can't read about the History of Jesus and about the fateful day He gave His life for you and me.  May today hold you close and forever may Jesus reign.

Matthew 27:46 NKJV:

    And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"  that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Pass it on......

My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank You for coming into the lives of Your people.  Thank you for making bold men and women that are willing to put a production on called "The Bible."  Thank You for the actors that depicted the characters and thank You for the Scripture that enlightens us into the light.  I was once lost and lonely and You came to me and gave me life.  I still wander and often I doubt but then, You remind me of Your power, Your purpose and Your majesty.  Thank You for loving the sinner and for giving Your life for us.  I hope that as Easter leaves us we will all take with us the power of the story of Your crucifixion.  I hope that we will look into the barbaric History by which You came and left this world.  I hope that we will see You in our daily lives and as the world continues to swirl in chaos, we will pray for the people that inhabit the cities and countries that need You.  I hold onto the promises You made thousands of years ago.  I have never seen You but I know You are near.  Your presence can be felt and Your sacrifice is noted.  May the power of the cross heal nations and continue to grow disciples for You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...