PERSISTING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

We are true West Virginians, born and bred, and way proud of it! We fly the colors, blue and gold (Yeller or old gold? There’s that debate.) We walk with one leg shorter than the other because of the ridge tops, we are fiercely proud, barefoot and pregnant (not I!), we are God fearing, gun toting, moonshine drinking, deer hunting, Moth man chasing, ramp eating people, at least that’s what folks on the outside say.

But this past Sunday evening I truly felt at one with this great State. Tony and I had been on vacation. We got back in town Saturday afternoon. It’s always good to get away, but it’s always great to come home – my home is West Virginia. Anyway, you know what happens when you get home from vacation, you unpack, go to the grocery store, catch up on mowing, and do massive mounds of laundry. So, I started on the massive mounds. Load em up.  But, there was a problem. When I hit start on the dryer it made this hideous noise. Not a little grind or squeak but a high pitched, nonstop squeal. Not just a let’s sit on the front porch until the dryer stops, but a noise ordinance (Do we have one?) violating noise.

We did what every innovative West Virginian would do — we Googled it! We diagnosed what we thought the problem was and Tony started taking the dryer apart. We went at it. Do you know how many parts there are to a dryer? We had dryer pieces and parts laying all over our kitchen and laundry room. After a bit we determined that we were not Maytag repair men and we had to go with Plan B. We did a little cost comparison – age vs. repair vs. purchase and at 7:00 on Sunday evening, we ran to Lowe’s and we got a new dryer – Happy Mother’s Day to me!

We brought her home – her, because all laundry goddesses give life to their appliances – it’s a partnership. We did what everyone does with a broken dryer at 8:00 on a Sunday night – moved that puppy to the back porch. That’s the moment I felt at one with our great State. With many of our kinsmen in West Virginia, we now have an appliance on a porch. Although our neighbors are probably going – what?!? I’m not too hung up on it. We have finally arrived. We are finally living up to the perception of others. Every State has it’s identifiers – those things it’s known for – whether they are true or not — and each State has their loyalists, those myth busters that constantly try to debunk or challenge what other people think.

I got to thinking. What am I known for? Are there perceptions (you know that’s reality to folks) that need to be debunked? Are there myths about me that others think are true? Maybe.  You too, I bet.

People struggled with who Jesus was too. There was a time even the disciples did.

“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:41

But then the disciples arrived, became one with the One.

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-15

You see, the myths people believed about Jesus were slowly debunked.

Folks were looking for a military leader — He led the Lord’s army. Folks were looking for someone to save them –He is the Savior of the world. Folks were looking for a king – His Kingdom will reign forever. Folks were looking for someone to cure what ails them – He came to provide the ultimate cure — healing of broken and dead hearts.

That’s what He was known for. That’s who He was. How did people know that? That’s what His life reflected. Jesus didn’t just tell them who He was – He lived who He was. How He lived His life is what debunked the myths.

He truly was the Son of God.
Matthew 27:54

That’s an example to follow, isn’t it? Our actions speak louder than our words. We can talk about Jesus all we want but our lives and our lips have to line up. If they don’t, we’re no more than a myth. – we are not believed to be true. So who do people say we are? Maybe the best question is not who do they say we are, but whose do they say we are? How can they tell? Is perception reality?

You know a lot of people like to go to attractions where famous people have been. Visit the Hollywood Walk of Stars. Sleep where George Washington slept. Follow the Chissolm Trail. Head out on the Road to Emmaus. Walk the Via Dolorosa.

The beach has a main attraction too, and that’s why we visit – the ocean. An incredible roaring expanse of water that covers thousands of miles and carries water from another coast right to the tip of our toes. It is quite a sight to see. It was created on the third day, by the way.

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear. And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called the “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:9-10

But, the waters were there from the very beginning. Chew on that.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2

Did you see that? Over the waters. What was over the waters? The Spirit of God. Take just a minute and process that. The Trinity. This is what makes the beach the main attraction. It’s where land and water meet. Where the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters, from the very beginning. It’s kind of cool to think about when you look at the ocean. The Spirit of God hovered over the ocean. Doesn’t that alone make it a tourist attraction? Anyway.

If you’ve ever been to the beach, you know how loud, how vast, how constant the ocean sounds. It’s so loud you can hear it behind closed doors. In fact, it is so powerful a presence that you think you can hear it when you can’t. Ever put a conch shell to ear? Folks find this sound so relaxing, so calming, that they make wave machines to help put you to sleep – no kidding.

As we were heading out one day, I remarked that it was awfully noisy at the beach and I wasn’t talking about the ocean. Folks were yelling, music blaring, mowers were mowing, construction was happening, equipment was beeping, leaf blowers (sand blowers) blowing, car alarms alarming, trucks were trucking, sprinkler systems sprinkling, dumpsters dumping. It just seemed so strange to me that the most calming sound, one of the reasons everyone was there, was being drowned out, kind of assaulted by the noises of life. Yet, if you strained your ear, you could hear the whisper of waves, the steady unceasing voice of the ocean, God’s Spirit hovering.

Isn’t this just like our daily lives? Because we are His, the Sweet Spirit of God is living in us. It is bold, vast, loud, constant, kind of like the ocean. But, just like the beach noises drown out the ocean, or make it harder to hear, our life noises do the same thing. Doesn’t mean it’s not there. The Spirit of God is always hovering. Just means we don’t hear it.

Just as the waves lap at the shore, God’s Spirit is moving, calling, talking, beckoning, constantly. Can we hear him?

…and you will hear a voice say, “This is the way; turn around and walk here.”
Isaiah 30:21

I bet my bottom dollar that He has spoken those words to me very often and because of the din of my life, I can’t hear Him. I can hear everything, but what I need to hear. He reminds us…

Be sure to pay attention to what you need to hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand – and even more besides. To those who are open to my teaching more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.
Mark 4:24-25

Pay attention to what you need to hear. His words always sum it up so clearly. What do we need to hear? His voice. What happens if we do. We gain more understanding. What happens if we don’t? We loose what little understanding we have. When the waves of life are making too much noise. We need to pay closer attention.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

Ah…the thoughts of man. It is some slight comfort to know that Major Daniel Whittle had some of the same thoughts I’ve rolled around in my brain, 136 years ago. You know what I mean, right? Of course you do, the I know nots…I know not why…I know not how…I know not what…I know not when…

Guess who else did? Father Abraham! You see, God made a promise to him. What was that promise? That Abraham’s offspring would be as numerous as the stars.

“This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.”
Genesis 15:4

What was Abraham’s response to the covenant, to the promise?

Abraham believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6

Did you see that? He didn’t miss a beat. Abraham didn’t know the why, the how, the what, the when. The only thing he did know was the promise. Look how Brother Paul recites it for us:

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith, and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he promised.
Romans 4:19-21

Oh sure, of course he had faith, we’re talking about the Big A here, Mr. Faithful. We can say we don’t have that kind of faith, we can talk about the I know nots…why, how, what, when? But I am so encouraged. You see, God used Abraham, just an ordinary man, he was far from perfect – remember that Sarah’s my sister thing? But I’m far from perfect too! Hey, you too! I love this verse. What sets Abraham apart is not his perfection, it’s his unwavering faith. You see, Abraham believed that God would do what He said He would do. He didn’t waver through unbelief regarding the promises of God. See what it says? He was strengthened in his faith. Abraham was fully persuaded, completely convinced that God had the power to do what He promised and that He would do what He promised.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope.
Ephesians 3:20

He is able to accomplish anything! That’s the key. He is. Abraham believed the promise because of the promiser – God!

Here’s the zinger – Do I believe the promises He has made? Do you believe the promises He has made? Work that out in your mind.

Major Whittle did. Abraham did. Paul did. Countless other names in the Bible did.

But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

We were walking the beach on another day. It was so lovely. The sky was blue, the wind was humming, the sun was shining, the waves were crashing, the sea salt was a smelling, the waves a crashing. You know, that perfect beach walk. As we walked along just enjoying all those things. I looked at Tony and said I’ve been thinking and I think I’d really like the beach if, it wasn’t for the sand.

Sand. Tiny tiny granules of crushed shells, rocks, and crustaceans that make up the sea floor. Sand that sticks to everything and sand that gets everywhere. When we get home, we’ll be finding sand in things for months. In shoes, towels, car mats, everywhere! Now I’m not hating creation, I’m just saying that somehow sand sifts into everything. Kind of like the Princess and the Pea, remember that? A tiny grain of sand in your shoe, or elsewhere, can drive you bananas! Tony said it’d be hard to have a beach without sand. He’s right. I mean, what would the water do? There’d be no ebb and flow because there’d be no beach on which to ebb and flow. A beach is sand and water. A beach must have sand to be called a beach. A beach must have water to be called a beach. You see where this is heading, right?

Just like water and sand go hand-in-hand to be called a beach, followers of Christ must have faith and obedience to be called Christians. What’s she talking about? Check this out:

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:5-6(NLT)

This verse tells us a couple of things that go hand-in-hand in following Christ. First off, it tells us that God has given us the privilege and the authority, or responsibility to go into the world and tell Gentiles (those unbelieving folks) about Him. A privilege to take a message from the King of Kings. A responsibility to take a message from the King of Kings. The reason we’re to do that is because of the next things that go hand-in-hand.

Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:5-6 (NIV)

Obedience that comes from faith. Not from any other place. Not obedience from rules, laws, instruction or fear. But obedience that can only come from faith. Not obedient to gain faith, but obedient as a result of faith! Look here:

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:7

We are not born obedient. We were born sinners. Our natural inclination is to be disobedient. Kind of like the waves at the beach, we are pulled, the current tries to pull us out into the world.

Faith is obedience. Faith produces obedience. To believe is to obey. They go hand-in-hand.

But now as prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they might believe and obey Christ. To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Romans 16:26

Remember that song by The Go-Go’s? Vacation all I ever wanted, vacation had to get away… Well, that’s what we’re planning. Yep. Selling seashells by the seashore, well, not really but you know what I mean. We’re planning a respite, a rest time, a break, a little peace. I bet a lot of folks are doing that this time of year.

Planning a getaway gives me a little heartburn. You see, I’m a very structured person. I’m sure you never would have guessed, I do hide it well, right? In case you didn’t know, I’m slightly ADHD, (yes, I have the papers to prove it), but only slightly. My mind is constantly moving at this frenetic pace, and in order to keep up with it, or manage it, I need structure. Most folks love vacations because they are anything but structure. A break from the grind. A time to do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want. No alarm clocks, no bedtimes. A time to see new sights, hear new sounds, do new things. Nevertheless, a vacation, a getaway is a time to rest. Rest from the pressures of work. Rest from the chores of home. Rest from the running. Although sometimes we need a vacation to recooperate (get it?) from our vacation, don’t we?

The Bible talks about rest, you know. Remember what God did after creating creation? He rested. No, he didn’t plan a trip to rest, he rested because His work was complete, done.

On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy,
because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.
Genesis 2:2-3

Then there’s the Promised Land. The land of rest. The ultimate vacation, right? The land flowing with milk and honey.

Today you are doing whatever you please, but that is not how it will be when you arrive in the place of rest the Lord your God is giving you. You will soon cross the Jordan River and live in the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession. When he gives you rest and security from all your enemies, you must bring everything I command you – your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your special gifts, and your offerings to fulfill a vow – to the place the Lord your God will choose for his name to be honored.
Deuteronomy 12:8-11

After 40 years of wandering on an 11 day journey, I can see why a rest was in store. The Promised Land was meant to be a place of rest. Remember, milk and honey? How’d that turn out for them?

Ah, but there’s another rest described by the writer of Hebrews:

For this Good News…only we who believe can enter his place of rest.
Hebrews 4:2-3

We can go to the beach, on a cruise, to the mountains, to Europe, wherever, but our rest can only be found in Him. If we want rest, if we want peace, we don’t need to go on vacation. That rest and peace is ours right here on earth.

This new place of rest was not the land of Canaan, where Joshua led them. If it had been, God would not have spoken later about another day of rest. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.
Hebrews 4:8-11

A special rest. Who doesn’t want that? In fact, Jesus made it possible for all of us to have that special rest. In fact, Jesus is planning the vacation, only it’s not for just a week or so. It is eternal. It is not just a vacation to rest, it’s a rest for life!

There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2

A rest where we will find true rejuvenation, relaxation, refreshment, rest, peace, for all eternity. The ultimate, never ending vacation. A rest with the most spectacular heavenly views.

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God…
1 Corinthians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
2 Corinthians 2:1

Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father , who raised him from the dead –
Galatians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
Colossians 1:1

Paul, as apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope…
1 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
2 Timothy 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…
Titus 1:1

A servant, an apostle, by the will of God…Paul’s introduction. In all these letters to the Churches he starts with his name – Paul; his reason for being – apostle, servant; his appointment — by the will of God. Paul was who he was, doing what he was doing, by the will of God. Think about that for a minute. Are we who we are, doing what we’re doing, by the will of God? Paul was divinely appointed, by the will of God. Every child of God, that’s you and me, has a divine appointment. Are we fulfilling our divine appointment? Yes, I’m sure you have a divine appointment. God’s chosen people always do, you know.

What does that look like in my life, in your life? What is our name; our reason for being; our divine appointment?

So, anyway, back to the will of God. What is the will of God?

I urge you, first of all to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4

For all men to be saved. Short and sweet. Not all complicated like we make it. Unfortunately, not all will be saved. Why? Because we’re not perfect? Because we don’t know the secret handshake? Because we haven’t checked all the boxes? Because we haven’t followed all the rules? No!!! Because we have rejected God. Our sin is the rejection of God. But, Jesus Christ took care of our sin. His blood has made us perfect. Hallelujah! What a Savior! But if we reject God and fail to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are told very plainly what the consequence are…

Think how much more terrible the punishment will be
for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of his covenant
as if it were common and unholy.
Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people.
For we know the one who said.
“I will take vengeance.
I will repay those who deserve it.”
He also said,
“The Lord will judge his own people.”
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:29-31

Yikes!!! God so much wants for all to be saved that he is a long-suffering God.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Longsuffering – long, patient endurance. He has waited for us despite our challenging Him, despite our lack of cooperation, despite our lack of acceptance, despite our outright rejection. He has endured all of that so that the “all” should come to repentance. Not just a few selected ones, or a few goody goody ones, or the nice ones, or the ones who get it right (not I!). His will is that all come to Him, so He’s waiting…

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:15

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18

And He has supplied a means for us to come to Him. You see, it’s not something we can do, it’s something He has done!

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:39

It is His will that everyone who looks to the Son shall be saved! And what’s the Good News?

I have not lost one of those you gave me.
John 18:9

That’s the Good News! Not one! True believes, those who have made a sincere commitment to Christ cannot be lost. Not a single one. John tells us. Paul tells us. Peter tells us. Jesus tells us! That’s the will of God! That none be lost.

So, back to the divine appointment…what is our divine appointment?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing then in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:29-30

Do we stand outside the ark and not go in? Not walk the ramp to salvation, to eternity. Are we on the outside looking in? Just maybe we think we don’t need to get in the boat. Maybe we’re afraid to walk the ramp.

Do we stand behind on the shore by the sea, the chariots approaching, but we’re afraid to step onto dry land that was once wet. Maybe, we’re afraid to take the step.

Do we stand before the altar and refuse to give in? Are we willing, if asked, to give up our ways, our wants, our desires? We are asked, you know, to sacrifice our ways for the only Way. Maybe, we’re afraid to offer the sacrifice.

Do we stand in the desert afraid to unpeg our tent in this world and drive our pegs into eternity? Maybe, we’re afraid of the Promised Land.

Do we stand at the manger, afraid of becoming part of the nativity? Afraid to admit that the baby laying there is the Savior of the World. Afraid to acknowledge that we need saving? Maybe, we’re afraid to believe.

Do we stand outside the Temple unable to hear the boy-King? So many worldly voices calling our names that it’s hard to distinguish the voice of God. Not giving credence to His teachings. Not wanting to hear. Maybe, we’re afraid of knowledge.

Do we stand in the tomb of the dead, afraid to come out on that fourth day when called by our weeping Savior? Maybe, we’re afraid to be raised from the dead.

Do we stand in back of the crowd and watch as He heals every kind of sickness and disease from within and yet not seek hearing? Maybe, we’re afraid of The Cure.

Do we stand in the back of the line hiding so we’re not seen? Afraid of being called His child. Afraid of leaving the old life behind. Maybe, we’re afraid of being chosen.

Do we stand in the room watching as the supper is passed? All of our brothers around. Not fully understanding. Asking the wrong questions? Maybe, we’re afraid of what we don’t understand.

Do we stand in the crowd as He is handed over, afraid to speak? Afraid of being related, connected to Him. Are we afraid of what others will say – do? Maybe, we’re afraid of rejection.

Do we stand before the cross as Jesus dies, and not see the life? Afraid the cost is too high. Afraid of our unworthiness. Maybe, we’re afraid of commitment.

Do we stand before the tomb? Afraid of what we’ll see. Afraid of the death inside, and our dying outside. Maybe, we’re afraid of death.

Do we stand before the Risen Lord? Speechless. Afraid of His love. Afraid of our lowliness. Maybe, we’re afraid of life – eternal life.

Maybe, we’re afraid …

…to get in the boat?
…to step foot onto dry land?
…to offer the sacrifice?
…to enter the Promised Land?
…to believe?
…to know who He is?
…to be raised from the dead?
…of The Cure?
…of being chosen?
…of what we don’t understand?
…of rejection?
…of commitment?
…of death?
…of life – eternal life?
…of Jesus?

Maybe…Where do you stand? What are you afraid of? Jesus requires an answer. We cannot just stand. We cannot remain immobile. Not answering is an answer. Maybe, instead of standing, we need to bow. Bow at the foot of the cross, looking to the Only One who can help us stand. What will it take for us to stand? To stand as resurrected people beside the resurrected One so that every day is Resurrection Day?

Murder. I know, we’re not supposed to speak of such things on Easter Monday, the day after Resurrection Day. But we shall. Afterall, isn’t that what happened last Friday? A man was murdered. Oh Beth, you and your coarseness. You call it coarse, I call it direct. But, in order to not be swayed, which we humans are so easily, we must acknowledge things for what they truly are. The truth is a man was murdered.

But the Lord said, “What have you done?
Listen – your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!”
Genesis 4:10

The very first murder. Who are the players? Yes, Cain and Abel. Up to this point in the story of Jesus, we have only heard about four folks – Adam and Eve, and their children Cain and Abel. They had many more children, after all their job was to populate the earth. The only other one we know by name though is Seth. Back to the murder, Adam’s act in The Garden paved the way for the death of his son. Knowing how we feel about our own children, that’s a heavy thought, isn’t it?

God witnessed this act of violence, like He does all the violences in the world today, including Good Friday’s. “What have you done?” That’s the question for Cain. Cain may have tried to make explanation, maybe not. Listen…the voice of thy brothers blood cries out to me from the ground!

Does blood speak? Does blood cry out? Does blood have a voice? Most certainly. So, what is blood? Blood is fluid in the body that carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells and carries waste away from those same cells. Glaze over. I’m not a micro person, but that’s how I understand it. It’s kind of funny. Blood is one of those things I thought I understood until I read the definition. My understanding of blood was a little more dummied down – blood is life. You don’t have blood, you don’t have life. That wasn’t in any of the “official” definitions. Ok, whatever, I’ve gotten a little off track. Back to murder.

So we move from the first murder to the last murder.

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed,
“Truly, this was the Son of God!”
Mark 15:39

This wasn’t the last murder ever, but it was the last murder before new life. What’s she talking about? We must understand death before we can understand life. This death led to life. He had to die so we could live. The opposite of murder is to preserve. He lost His life so ours could be preserved for all eternity. His murder and death were different from any we’ve ever heard about.

…they laid Jesus there.
John 19:42

Early Sunday morning…the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
John 20:1

He didn’t stay dead! He arose!

You followed God’s prearranged plan. With the help of lawless Gentiles,
you nailed him to the cross and murdered him.
However, God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life again, for death could not keep him in its grip.
Acts 2:24

Death could not hold Him! If it had, there would be no new life, only a dead man in a tomb!

You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.
Hebrews 12:24

Yes! Blood does have a voice. Blood does speak. His blood flowed red in His death so that my sins could be made white in new life. Red washed white. Jesus’s blood does not cry out for vengeance as Abel’s blood did. Jesus’s blood cries out for forgiveness! Jesus’s blood cries out life!

Resurrection Day!  Easter Monday!  Celebration of Eternal Life Day!

Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

I am thirsty.
John 19:28

After Jesus’ speaks He was offered wine. This sour wine was a cheap wine that the Roman soldiers drank while waiting for those crucified to die. Thinking on the wretchedness, cruelty, and heinousness of that day, they drank the wine not so much to celebrate as to dull their own pain. Can you imagine being a Roman soldier and your job was to crucify people? Goodness, so many thoughts on that statement.

Today’s Good Friday. That’s an oxymoron. Think about it. Did you ever wonder why they call it Good Friday? Was Good Friday all that good? After a night of torture, that would have ended the life of the best of men, the man is hung on the cross to die. Murdered.

Another oxymoron. The One who was thirsty on the cross is the resurrected living water.

“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
John 4:10

Jesus reveals that He is the living water. He is the Messiah. He is the only one that can satisfy our thirst. He is the only one that can provide eternal life. He had to die on the cross in order to do that.

Thank the Lord that we know the rest of the story. Thank the Lord for the rest of the story. Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday. The day of resurrection. Followers of Christ know that the cross means nothing without the resurrection. The cross without the resurrection is just a dead man in a tomb. A dead man in a tomb leaves the world thirsty. The resurrection allows for an eternal well springing up to eternal life.

“But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life”
John 4:13-14

The events of that day are so difficult for me to think about, to look at, that I can only look at them in flashes, in blinks, for to gaze on those events full on causes my mind to shut down. Your’s too? But, look we must. How else will we see the Living Waters?

I’ve been doing a little reading about the Easter story. It’s that time of year, you know. That sounds a funny thing to say, doesn’t it? Maybe I shouldn’t be thinking of it that way. We tend to holiday-ize some Bible events, don’t we? Christmas and Easter are the easiest to secularize and as a people we’ve done an outstanding job of it. Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Not a criticism, just an observation. I’m speaking for myself, I’m currently all bunnied up and have gotten supplies for the egg hunt too. But the down and dirt about it is that the birth of Jesus and the death and resurrection of Jesus are not secular events. I must not forget. The Easter story begins with death and ends with life. We have to understand the death in order to understand the life.

Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there.
Matthew 27:36

Crucified. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Does that cause you to tremble, tremble, tremble? Me too. I know why the world has turned Easter into a parade. It’s awful to think about a man hanging on a cross. Give me the bunny. It shocks the senses to think about folks hanging out just waiting for Him to die. Let’s hide some eggs. Secularizing Christian events makes them more bearable, more palatable. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, living for Jesus is definitely not for the squeamish.

When I think about those who “sat around,” I wonder what they were thinking. Crucifixions were not uncommon so they may not have been too affected by it. Maybe they thought nothing – just another crucifixion. Desensitized. Maybe they thought about their market list. Maybe they thought about watering the animals. I know what you’re thinking – she’s so inappropriate, so crass, but let’s just be honest. Let’s call a spade a spade. If we can’t look at the crucifixion for what it was, we can’t look at it for what it will be. Do we think of the crucifixion for what it was? Harsh, cruel, horrific.

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit.
Matthew 27:50

Dead. The sinless One. Died because we are the sin-full ones. Do we think of it that way? In my stead. In my place, the spotless lamb. If you know Jesus, not just the name, death is not the end, actually, it’s just the beginning.

“I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised form the dead, just as he said he would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”
Matthew 28:5-6

Resurrected. The real Easter story. The beginning of a life of eternity. The key to all things Christian. Just as He promised – I will come again. Just as He promised, we will be resurrected to eternal life.

I want to look at it a little differently this Easter go around. I want to remember that Easter is not just a celebration of the spring season, but a celebration of the new life. I want to remember that His death led to my life. I want to remember that His death took the place of my death – here on earth and for all eternity. That’s a very long time.

There’s nothing wrong with celebrating Easter with bunnies, eggs, bonnets and all. But, if we forget about what happened at the cross, the crucifixion, and His death, and we fail to see the resurrection, it’s just another secular holiday. We must be Resurrection Day folks. People who celebrate the life that led to death, that led to life eternal. Yours, mine and all who will receive. We must live as  people who realize it’s not about the bunny, it’s all about the Lamb!