Reflections on Easter (1)

- Death is a door -

John 13:1
“Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.”

Jesus was standing in the shadow of death. It was time. All things were now in place and would happen according to God’s plan. “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heal.” (Gen 3:15) This single verse in the third chapter of Genesis contained a prophetic description of Jesus’ suffering, but also his victory over Satan.

Jesus was going to the cross, staring death in the face. He would ‘taste death’ just like any mortal man. The fear, the agony... but He had an unwavering hope that He clung to. - His Father would raise Him again. He would not be held captive by the grave.

Point to ponder:
Death affects us all. Whether it’s losing a loved one, or staring death in the face ourselves. But through Jesus we know that we share that same hope He had, that in leaving this world we would also go to the Father. Death is not final. It’s just a door leading from one world to the next. And because He has removed the ‘sting of death,’ we don’t have to fear death anymore. It has become a passage, not a final destination.

Lord, You are my comfort in life and in death. Thank you for making a way for me to be part of Heaven’s Kingdom. In You, though we die, we will live forever.

Rest for the weary.

Ps 23:3
“He restores my soul.”

This might be exactly the verse you need today. Especially if your week's been filled with soul-draining events. Life seems to be harsh at times, even unfair. And some days seem to take more out of us than we can afford to give.

I might be left with an emotional hangover. Maybe I'm feeling down or irritated… but then I remember; “He restores my soul”

As I feel emotionally drained, I look to God in this new day. He is able to restore my soul. Even as I read those 4 words, faith rises in me. As I speak them, I am comforted. As I pray them, I am restored.

Lord – today I truly need your restoration. Come restore my soul as only You can.

Irrespective of Blessings

(Taken from Luke 1)

Luke 1:6&7
“Both of them [Zechariah & Elizabeth] were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children...”

Here we have a couple, both serving God & walking blamelessly in His ways. They kept His commandments. They were obedient... yet she was barren. They did not have the blessing of children.

But then their prayers were answered late in their years (v.13), way beyond the point where human logic would have it. And I’m sure that once heard, they cared not for the timing of God, but rejoiced in his providence.

Point to ponder: Judging from their character- one can see that they would have served God even if He never blessed them with a child.
We would do well to notice that serving God with all our heart, for all our earthly years should happen in spite of the blessings He gives, or withholds. Even though we might be “barren” [empty, desolate, bleak, unfruitful, unproductive] – we can still walk in His ways and trust Him.

Prayer:
God – this is a deep, spiritual maturity to have. I want to have such a heart... to serve You, irrespective of your blessings. Thank you for the blessing of answered prayer. Please give me faith to trust You in times when you do not answer, or when your answer is “No.”