HIS RESPONSE, OUR RESPONSE

I had started to write this Friday night after our Good Friday service at church, but it was late and I wasn't able to finish my thought process. Thankfully, there was a reason for that, because there was more to ponder. 

It's not that He was speechless. It's not that He didn't know what to say. . .

Jesus knew that had to be done, and by His humble meekness, He fulfilled a prophesy spoken of Him thousands of years earlier. 

 

Jesus had no response. He could have spoke words to cut right to the heart. He could have spoke to them their deepest secrets and sins. He could have told them of the intricate plans He has for all eternity. . . But He knew He had to die. And He knew this was the hour. 

FAST FORWARD TO SUNDAY...

Let's look at two responses of the revealed risen Savior to His closest followers:

How is my response to the risen Jesus? Am I "deep in wonder and full of joy" like the women were when they first heard the news? Or am I "holding back" and "unsure about risking myself."  

The women were the first to hear the report. They had not yet seen the risen Jesus and yet they were fully in, fully believing. Then Jesus showed up. Yet the disciples... lets say that again... the DISCIPLES saw face to face the risen Lord and yet they were unsure. 

There are two main things I take away from this:

1. Self-evaluations. What is my response to Jesus? Am I fully in and enveloped in the majesty of the risen King? Or am I filled with parts of doubt, confusion, fear? Those areas I need to bring to God in prayer and ask for an outpouring of faith! God is there to give that to us!

2. Grace. God STILL used these doubtful men to build His church. He filled them up with the Holy Spirit days later, equipping them to share the amazing story with nation upon nation. He used these men in mighty ways. This encourages me that God will use me despite my struggles, and questions, and fears. 

Each year as our focus is drawn intently on the cross at this time, I am still awe struck that Jesus would sacrifice everything for us. I am still humbled by the pain he went through, physically and spiritually as he carried the weight of the sins of the world. Thank You, Jesus for the work You did on our behalf, and that even now you sit at the right hand of God. Thank You.

Sincerely,

Jen

PS Here is a family Easter photo for you. 

 

Maundy Thursday - A New Command

 

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday in Holy Week. It is the night of the Last Supper when Jesus institutes the first communion by breaking the bread, symbolizing His body and dipping in the wine, symbolizing His blood. After this intimate moment, He tells His disciples of "The New Command." 

 

Just a day later, Jesus dies on behalf of not only His closest followers, but for all people. Even those who would be murdering Him. 

The most heartbreaking verse on the Bible to me is Matthew 26:67-68. “Then they were spitting in His face and banging Him around. They jeered as they slapped Him: “Prophesy, Messiah: Who hit You that time?” MSG

When I read the Bible I see it as a movie in my head. In this scene I picture everything going into slow motion as in Jesus' mind, He sees flash backs of their lives. 

One swift blow to the head, he sees the young man who hit him. He knows more than just his name... He sees the day he was born. The tears of joy that his parents wept as they welcomed him into the world. He sees him as a child, picking on his brothers.  He sees him as an adolescent, stealing grapes in the outdoor marketplace. He sees his dedication to the temple as he starts the path to become a religious scholar. He knows the pride and haughty thoughts he struggles with. And He knows for this man, He is dying. 

One by one as they each take turns hitting and spitting on Him, he knows them all. He knows them intimately. He knows their internal struggles they would never share with even the closest of friends. He sees the dark hidden secrets they are ashamed of. He sees their pride, and hatred, and glory seeking motives. 

Yet, rather than being filled with disappointment, or anger, His heart swells with pity. "Forgive them Father, for the know not what they do." Even in His hour of pain... His hour of abandonment from His Father... His time of bearing the punishment of all mankind's sin... He beckons God The Father on our behalf for mercy upon us. 

I know that my sin is what put Christ upon the cross. I know that the wage of my punishment was counted in the slashes on His back and ribs. I know the blood spilled out on that Israeli dirt had my name inscribed upon it. But not only did Christ die for sins I would be committing thousands of years later, He was also dying for those very men who were beating Him. 

...and this puts a whole new view on the  mandatum novum, the New Command.