Moms Together Newsletter- April

April 8,2009

 

He Lives!!

            For many years I have been saddened that Christians celebrate Christmas so completely, yet Easter does not have the same build up or even celebration.  Of the two holidays I believe Easter is the larger-print, front-page story.  Easter is the culmination of why Jesus came.  Easter is the continuing story.  Easter is the life-changing story.

            In thinking about what Easter means, I have come up with three life-sustaining truths that can enable us to live a fuller, more complete life.  First, as we read about the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion, it is abundantly clear that Jesus went willingly to the cross.   Mark 14 tells of Jesus celebrating the Passover dinner with his disciples.  After dinner, Jesus went to the garden to pray for He knew that His crucifixion was near.  Verse 36 tells of Jesus’ struggle, but it also tells of His willing spirit, “And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You [will]”

            If you knew of an impending, life-altering circumstance, would you be able to say as Jesus did, “not what I will, but what you will”?  I’m not sure if I could say that.  Jesus faced death, yet He went willingly.

            Second, not only did Jesus go willingly to a life-changing/ending struggle, but Jesus went through the struggle with dignity and grace.  Jesus was given ample opportunity to defend Himself, complain, and lie, but He didn’t.  Many witnesses were called against Jesus (Mark 14:56,61, 15:2,5) yet none of their testimonies lined up.  Basically, they lied.  However, Jesus did not defend Himself.  Instead, He chose to bear the false witness with dignity and grace.  When asked if He was Christ, Jesus answered truthfully saying, “  I AM”.  Could you have answered truthfully when faced with the fact that your life was ending or changing based on your answer?

            Jesus also showed his dignity and grace as He was being ridiculed.  Jesus was spit on, struck with open hands, beat, had thorns crammed into His skull, whipped with a whip that not only opened the flesh, but tore it as well, and told to carry the cross.  He didn’t fight it, He didn’t curse, He didn’t complain.  He took the ridicule and beatings with dignity.  We have each faced a time of ridicule in our life, how was it handled?  Did you fight it?  Did you scream and yell against it?  Or did you bear it with dignity?

            Finally, and most importantly, though Jesus was crucified, He didn’t die- Jesus lives.  Jesus battled death- and won!  Not only did Jesus win, but upon His resurrection, Jesus spoke with a clear message, “And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole [a]human race].” (Mark 16:15)  Jesus didn’t succumb to death, He rose from death and used it to more powerfully proclaim His gospel.  Just as Jesus rose, we too can rise from those things that bring us into the depths.  We must remember that Jesus death and resurrection is the story of Hope.  Hope when life is crashing down.  Hope when no one is standing with us or is in our corner.  Hope when only destruction remains of what used to be.  Ladies, as you celebrate Easter this year take time to reflect.  Ask yourself three questions:  Am I willing, as Jesus was?  Will I face this situation with grace and dignity, as Jesus did? Have I died, or am I stronger than ever? 

            Ladies, my desire for you this Easter season is that you love Jesus deeper, create a more intimate relationship with Him, and emulate Him in each area of your life.

            May you have a blessed Easter,

                        Kathy

 

 

 

                                                            Kathy Hansen www.revealedministry.wordpress.com