Been a while since I've posted here. Doesn't mean I haven't been in touch with my God. This weekend has a lot of meaning to me. Maundy Thursday when our Lord, Jesus Christ, demonstrated the way to be a true servant by washing the feet of his disciples. And unless we realize what that truly meant, with everyone's feet at that time being extremely filthy, we don't realize the great love Jesus had for them to do such a thing.
Then the passion of Good Friday and the horrible abuse and crucifixion of our Lord. Both which were necessary for our salvation and so we could say "by his stripes we are healed." As is my tradition I watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" yesterday opening my heart to full and complete penitence. I don't need to see his suffering to appreciate the gift I've been given, but it does help me to realize the extent of his suffering for me.... and for you.
Today is Holy Saturday. Some believe that Jesus spent this day in the tomb. Some believe that he spent the day in Hell. I have no idea where he was but I do believe that as soon as the stone was rolled over the tomb, Jesus rose!
What we do know is what the disciples were doing. They went back to the Upper Room where they had last been with Jesus for the Passover meal. They locked the doors and gates, shut the windows fast, and prayed and prayed. They were expecting the Roman guards to come take them away to certain death at any time. I can only imagine their terror.
After a sleepless night, Mary Magdalene hurried to the tomb to care for the body of her lord. Expecting to have to ask someone to roll the stone away, imagine her horror when the tomb was open. And worse... the body of her lord was missing! Where could they have taken him?
The concept that He was alive never entered her mind. And when Jesus spoke to her I'm sure the first thing on her mind wasn't "he's alive." And The Bible tells us that it took her a bit to realize this was a living Jesus speaking to her.
How much easier it is for us today to read, watch or think about Jesus being abused and crucified... we know the rest of the story. But in his time they didn't and the fear and terror was real!
Thank you Jesus for your great sacrifice for me, to forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I love you more than life itself. Amen
Then the passion of Good Friday and the horrible abuse and crucifixion of our Lord. Both which were necessary for our salvation and so we could say "by his stripes we are healed." As is my tradition I watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" yesterday opening my heart to full and complete penitence. I don't need to see his suffering to appreciate the gift I've been given, but it does help me to realize the extent of his suffering for me.... and for you.
Today is Holy Saturday. Some believe that Jesus spent this day in the tomb. Some believe that he spent the day in Hell. I have no idea where he was but I do believe that as soon as the stone was rolled over the tomb, Jesus rose!
What we do know is what the disciples were doing. They went back to the Upper Room where they had last been with Jesus for the Passover meal. They locked the doors and gates, shut the windows fast, and prayed and prayed. They were expecting the Roman guards to come take them away to certain death at any time. I can only imagine their terror.
After a sleepless night, Mary Magdalene hurried to the tomb to care for the body of her lord. Expecting to have to ask someone to roll the stone away, imagine her horror when the tomb was open. And worse... the body of her lord was missing! Where could they have taken him?
The concept that He was alive never entered her mind. And when Jesus spoke to her I'm sure the first thing on her mind wasn't "he's alive." And The Bible tells us that it took her a bit to realize this was a living Jesus speaking to her.
How much easier it is for us today to read, watch or think about Jesus being abused and crucified... we know the rest of the story. But in his time they didn't and the fear and terror was real!
Thank you Jesus for your great sacrifice for me, to forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I love you more than life itself. Amen