Happy Easter!

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest." Luke 24:1-9

How the angels must wonder at our surprise.  We're shocked when God rearranges "normal" for His purpose, as if we don't really believe that He is in control of everything.  To the angels, however, it made perfect sense: God kept His promise.

Everything we believe hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17).  Without Easter, there would be no Christianity!  Everything we believe is founded on God's fulfillment of His promises.

Easter gives us hope because the God who was powerful enough to keep a promise made in the beginning ["he shall bruise your head" (Genesis 3:15)] is still all-powerful.  We know that He will also keep His promise to us: "'In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also'" (John 14:2-3).


Easter gives us purpose because the One who promised us great things has also given us work to complete (Ephesians 2:10).

Easter gives us victory because we are now made to be "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37).

Easter gives us joy because that promise kept was given to us.  "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1a)!

It's hard to believe that the God of the universe stoops to make a promise to the wretches that are so far from the holy perfection He requires.  Even more incredible is that He keeps the promise.  It truly is amazing grace!  Is it any wonder that God takes promises seriously?  His own Son took our unbearable punishment for us, to keep a promise made before time began.  Through His grace, we are now "children of promise" (Galatians 4:28).

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised IS faithful."
Hebrews 10:23, emphasis added

Have a wonderful Easter!

Awkward!

In many movies, there is a side plot in which a man and woman seem to be just perfect for each other.  During the entire movie, everyone watching is just waiting for the couple to decide the obvious.  But until then, there are moments where the couple is together and they don't know what to say.  As they are obviously uncomfortable and begin searching for the right words, the viewers notice their discomfort.  This is when my brother likes to yell, "Awkward!"


There is a verse in the Bible that, when I read it, I find myself thinking, "Awkward!"  It happens in 1 Kings.  Israel, the nation loved by God, the nation that had seen the miracles and heard the voice from heaven, had once again turned away from the God who had blessed them so abundantly.  Under bad leadership, the Israelite people fell away and followed their hearts - and the neighbors' gods.  Soon the prophet Elijah appeared on the scene and proposed that all prophets (whether good prophets or false prophets) gather together at Mount Carmel.


Here we reach the climax.  Beginning his call for the Israelites to return to God, Elijah faced the Israelites.  We read, "And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word" (1 Kings 18:21).  Imagine the deafening silence.  The people "did not answer him a word" as Elijah talked about their sin.  There was no repentance or returning to the one true God.  There was no adamant defense of the lie they had chosen in place of the Truth.  There was only silence.  What was going through their minds?  It must have been very awkward.


It can be awkward when our sin is confronted.  While reading the Bible, God might show us some areas we don't want to change.  He might show us where we limp between God's Truth and the pull of other things - be it popular opinion, entertainment, or anything else we put before Christ.  It can be awkward, yes, but God doesn't call us to a comfortable life.


Elijah proposed a test to the undecided Israelites.  They decided to offer sacrifices and see which God responded to their efforts and devotion.  What follows is a humorous yet incredible account and a breathtaking display of God's awesome power and involvement in our lives.  As expected, the false god lost, just like our petty priorities will never be able to stand before God's magnificent power.  God turned the hearts of Israel back to Him.  Oh, that He will keep our hearts true to Him.

On Pins and Needles

For the past several weeks, I have been eagerly watching for signs of spring, as I'm sure many others have been as well.  Ahhh, just take a deep breath and know that spring is finally, at long last, in the air.

Many people seem to think of Christmas as "the most wonderful time of the year."  Around Christmas-time, I would agree.  But today, as I noticed new blossoms on the tree in our yard, I began thinking that spring is great, too.  I wonder why those two times - Christmas and spring - stand out as the best times of the year?

Then I realized what makes spring and Christmas seem so special.  Anticipation: the waiting for something coming that is even better than what we have now.  During the Christmas season, we are anticipating Christmas Day.  During spring, we anticipate summer.

Anticipation.  Looking forward.  Trying so hard to wait patiently.  The dictionary defines "anticipate" as "to look forward to as certain."  When we hear "Joy to the World," we know that Christmas is around the corner.  When we see blossoms on trees and heard birds chirping, we know that spring is coming.  For certain.  You can count on it.

What must Paul have been thinking when he cried out "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24).  Why was he so miserable? Didn't this same man write, "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2)?  Why did he consider himself free on the one hand and yet still a wretched man?

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God...For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience" (Romans 8:18-25, emphasis added).

The weight of sin has marred the picture of the glorious world God created.  Everywhere, all of creation groans under the burden.

But, wait.  The story isn't over yet.  We anticipate the final chapter.  '"Behold, I am making all things new'" (Revelation 21:5).  For the redeemed, such a dreary, painful world will not always be so.  One day we will reach the gates of heaven and hear '''Enter into the joy of your master'" (Matthew 25:21).


Until then, we anticipate our eternal destination - sitting on pins and needles, so to speak, as we wait for our call to glory.  It will come.  For certain.  You can count on it.

Photo Credit: Arvind Balaraman from FreeDigitalPhotos.net