|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Learning from a Thief (When Easter Sunday Comes) |
|
| |
I believe that it was at Easter Service where my pastor talked about the days of Christ's strife right before resurrection Sunday. I had never thought about it before. What WAS Jesus really going through in those days BEFORE he was arrested? What was He thinking about in the secret places in His mind?
Even before the Garden of Gethsemane, he regularly spoke to His disciples of a time when he would be taken away and cruxified. He KNEW what suffering was coming long before Gethsemane. But there is something excruxiatingly special about the "slow roast" before the breakthrough to victory. We know about his experience in the Garden, where he sweated drops of blood and pleaded with the Father to remove, if possible, the cup that He had to drink. But what was His ultimate response . . . "Nevertheless, not my will but YOURS be done."
But then, there was that moment. The REAL moment where the betrayal, pain, the strife, the torture overtook Him. His friday ultmately came. They lied on Him. They falsely accused and convicted Him in the secret of the night. They mocked Him. Beat Him, crushed Him with a wooden cross and hung Him on that same cross to die a slow death.
Ah, but on SUNDAY, our Lord got up with all power in His hands. The message of hope was that Sunday DID ultimately come and victory was won. Here's the thing . . .
I have to admit that, on this Easter Sunday, I was barely able to concentrate on the victory of Easter Sunday Morning. That day when the power of death was broken and it's sting taken away, I really wanted to celebrate and be happy but my spirit was so heavy with grief and the "agony of defeat" that I could barely lift my head or hands in worship. Friends, I have to admit to you now that then -- and now --I feel like I am suspended somewhere in Saturday . . . that dreadful dark day where death seems to have won. I'm still waiting for my Easter Sunday. Perhaps you are there too. All you see -- in the natural -- is dead and dying bodies being cruxified on crosses while the crowd watches -- some in horror . . .others in glee. And guess what? It hurts. Alot.
But even so . . . I think about the two thieves that hung with Christ. One on the left, the other on the right. We have a choice to make as we hang on our own crosses. Are we going to curse and insult Jesus as one did? Or are ywe going to acknowledge the dominion of Christ even as we hang dying? It is a hard choice we all have to make as we dangle over the pit of life's many snares.
While I have not always acted as such, I long to be like the criminal who acknowledged Jesus as the Christ from the place where he hung. He said in Luke 23:42 "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Christ responds, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) When you stop to think about it, that is a comforting statement for the thief to hear, especially if he has already believed in Christ as Lord. Because Christ is "God in flesh" and God cannot lie, the thief could take that statement as TRUTH and claim it right then and there as he hung! He has been promised his Easter Sunday.
I need to take notes from this thief. Even if I feel like I'm still on a cross, I pray to God and He still takes note of me. He still sends gentle reminders to help me remember His promises. I am not off of my cross -- yet. But . . .if I'm the believer I SAY I am, then His promises are enough . . . His grace is sufficient . . . His words are true. And I will hang on . . . until my Easter Sunday comes. |
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
BHEK |
 |
April 03, 2008 at 12:18pm |
|
Your ability to see GOD during our storm is inspiring. Peace and deliverence are at the end of prayer and surrender. I am learning the same lesson with you. GOD is with us, he is preparing us for his work. Keep seeking his truth and our family will be stronger for it.
Til the 6,
B |
|
|
Alli,
Most importantly, I want to let you know I am praying for you. I also have to tell you that the beauty of your spirit shines through, even when you are hurting. I don't know if you are able to see it right now or not, but God is all over you. Your blogs speak to my soul because they are from the heart and they speak of experiences I can relate to. I am still on the cross too and there are many days when I feel like all I have to hold onto are His Promises because the realities of my current life aren't all gravy. Anyone who acts like their walk with the Lord is all roses, all the time, is lying to themselves and to others, because we all have our own crosses to carry, but those crosses are meant to make us, not break us, so hold on because like you said your Easter Sunday will come.
I am here if you need me. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
back to top
