The Tomb is Empty

The tomb is empty and my heart is full.

Jesus, you have changed my life, I give you all of me.

Take this broken, humbled person, who desires to give back some of what you have bestowed on me, and hold me in your nail pierced arms. Let me lay my head on your shoulder and breathe in your fragrance, the fragrance of a life poured out for my sins.

My tears dampen your tunic and you wipe them away with your gentle touch. You whisper to me, “I love you my daughter,” my tears come harder. All the longings of my life: acceptance, purpose, forgiveness, love are wrapped up in you.

Death could not hold you in the grave. I sing hallelujah to the King of kings and my Lord.

The one and only, the great

I AM.

In Need of Resurrection

Day seven of Passion Week
While the apostles struggled with their grief the chief priests and Pharisees were experiencing fear. They went to Pilate with a request to have the tomb guarded. They were fearful that the disciples of Jesus would come and remove the body. They remembered that Jesus had said in three days He would rise.
Pilate was done with these people. He suggested they find their own guards.
They sealed the tomb and set guards to watch.

Those who loved and served with Jesus were devastated that He was gone. Perhaps they met together to remember all that had happened while they walked with Jesus and what had happened in Jerusalem the day before, the horror of the beating and the crucifixion. Perhaps each one of the apostles was closed up in their own home grieving alone.

Scripture says nothing about this day except for the sealing of the tomb.

It is as if the earth is holding its breath…

http://youtu.be/D6GlTHQ1A2c
Resurrection by Nicol Sponberg

The Day of Crucifixion

Day six of Passion Week

Friday

1 A.M. In the Garden of Gethsemane – Jesus asked if possible that the cup of suffering could be removed
from Him. But He submitted Himself to the will of His Father. His apostles slept while he agonized.

2 A.M. When Jesus returned from his prayers for the third time and found his apostles asleep once again he told them to sleep. Lifting his eyes he was the lights of the crowd that had come to take him away.

3 A.M. The crowd approached Jesus. Judas stepped forward and threw his arms around Jesus and kissed him on the cheek. Jesus said to him, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
Since the soldiers were looking only for Him, Jesus asked that the others be allowed to leave.
Peter, desiring to do something, picked up a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus told him to put the sword away, he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
Jesus was taken to Ciaphas.

4 A.M. Jesus was brought to Annas. John and Peter were in the courtyard, three times Peter denied Jesus and three times the rooster crowed. Peter left and wept.
Jesus is returned to Ciaphas for a trial that broke the law saying a trial could not be held while the sky was dark.
Jesus was tired, he had been awake for almost 24 hours. He said nothing in His own defense.
In frustration Ciaphas asked, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus’ answer condemned himself.
Caiphas shouted, “He has blasphemed.” The judges declared their verdict. “He is liable to the penalty of death.”
Some of the judges spat in his face and some hit Jesus with their fists.

5 A.M. The guards took part in the torture of Jesus, slapping and punching Him.
Jesus is taken to the temple for sentencing

6 A.M. At the meeting of the elders the charges are read, the roll call is taken and all proclaimed, “He is guilty! Death.”

7 A.M. Judas appears before the court of Priests and declares, “It was wrong for me to betray innocent blood.” He threw the coins on the floor, then ran away and hung himself. The branch he hung on broke casting him to the jagged rocks below.
Caiphas is at the Fortress Antonia asking to see the Procurator about Jesus.

8 A.M. Jesus arrives at Antonia. He stands before Pilate. After questioning him Pilate finds no guilt in him. When the priests mention that Jesus is from Galilee Pilate sends Him to Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee.

9 A.M. Jesus is taken to Herod. Herod is disgusted that he cannot get Jesus to perform miracles for him and his friends. Jesus is sent back to Pilate.

10 A.M. The crowd shouts for Barabbas’ release and for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged.

11 A.M. The crowds would not allow Pilate to free Jesus. Pilate washed his hands in front of the crowd and told them he would not be responsible for this man’s death. He turned Jesus over to be crucified.
Jesus is unable to carry his cross because of the beating he has received. Simon of Cyrene is ordered to carry the cross.

12 Noon Jesus and the two thieves reach Golgotha. They are nailed to the crosses. The sky begins to darken.

1 P.M. One of the garments belonging to Jesus is a garment made without seams, it is valuable. Lots are cast for it.
Jesus looks up to heaven and cries loudly, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” He was asking forgiveness not just for those who crucified him but for all of the world. Jesus has been without food and water now for 14 hours.

2 P.M. The final hour. Darkness still covered the land. Jesus nearing the end cried out, “Eli Eli! Lema sabachthani!” (My God, my God! Why hast thou forsaken me!”)
“I thirst!” Jesus called out. A soldier stuck a sponge, dipped in vinegar, on the end of his spear and lifted it to the lips of Jesus.

3 P.M. Jesus lifted himself one last time and spoke, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” His final cry was, “It is finished!” His body sagged.
The earth quaked and the veil in the temple was rent in two from top to bottom. Graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints arose.
The guards were hastening the deaths of the men and came to break their legs. Jesus was already dead, a soldier pierced his side with a sword.
Joseph of Arimathia went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus so that he might bury him in his tomb. Nicodemus helped Joseph with the burial preparations.

4 P.M. The body of Jesus rested in the tomb. The men rolled the stone over the opening.

The work was done. Each of the grievers returned to their homes, the Sabbath was about to begin.

This day was lived to its completion for you and me.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 NAS

 

Preparing to Wait

Day five of Passion Week
Passover day dawns and Jesus’ disciples are asking where they are to prepare and celebrate the Passover meal. Following his directions they find the place and begin the preparations. A celebration meal but the mood is somber.

When the full moon of the evening appeared Jesus sat with His disciples.

A servant came to Jesus with a pitcher and basin to wash his hands and a strange thing happened. Jesus took the basin and the water and wrapped the towel around his waist and went to each disciple to wash their feet.

He took the most humble position to show them what was expected of them. Strange things were happening this night.

The atmosphere changed when Jesus stated that one of them would betray him. They asked “is it I.” How sad they still had doubts but would I have done any better?

Jesus whispered to John that it was the one to whom he would give the morsel after dipping it. It was given to Judas Iscariot. Judas left the gathering after this revelation.

At the end of the supper Jesus took bread and wine and with words and actions He instituted the Lord ’s Supper, Holy Communion.

This was a departure from the Passover ritual.

Jesus waited until Judas was gone to institute this new sacrament. It could not be defiled by a sinner.

It was almost midnight when they left the room where they celebrated the Passover. Jesus spoke with his disciples as they slowly walked to the Mount of Olives. He continued His teaching when they arrived in the garden.

Jesus spoke to his apostles for hours trying to fill them with what they would need to know to carry them through the next few days. Were they fearful, Jesus said he was going to be put to death, would they be also? What did all the words He spoke to them mean? They would have a fuller understanding in a few days.

At about 1 a.m. he finished with several prayers and then asked Peter, James and John to follow him.

Jesus had completed everything. The preaching and teaching were over, the miracles over.

Now it was time to wait.

As I have been writing during this Passion Week I am sobered by the process of my deliverance. Doesn’t it seem like God could have come up with an easier plan of redemption, one that didn’t involve the suffering and death of His Son?
He made it easy for me; all I had to do was accept that Christ took the punishment of my confessed sins and turn my life over to Him.
Jesus’ part in this plan was total relinquishment of His will to His Father’s.
Daily He asks you and I to do the same.

His end was my new beginning.

Woo Hoo Here He Comes

Day 40 of 40 days of Lenten Posts - Day 1 of Passion Week Posts
Today begins Passion Week, Jesus’ final week on earth as God-man, by the end of the week He would take up His rightful position at His Father’s right hand.

The time had come for Jesus to be proclaimed as their king, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, the throngs shouting, “Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel.”

Palm branches were waved and placed on the ground as the colt carrying the King of kings and Lord of lords slowly made its way through the crowd into the waiting city.

How far did the sound of those shouts travel? All of Jerusalem might have heard the cry from that mighty crowd.

Were the disciples excited by this demonstration or did the words that Jesus spoke echo in their minds, “I must die.”

As Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and talked to them about what would happen to him when they arrived."I will be betrayed to the chief priests and other Jewish leaders, and they will condemn me to die. And they will hand me over to the Roman government, and I will be mocked and crucified, and the third day I will rise to life again." Matt 20:17-19 TLB

The triumphal entry was a prelude to the climax of His journey to earth to die for the sins of all mankind. On His mind were those who would receive the freely given gift of eternal life and those who would reject it. It overwhelmed Him and He wept.

But as they came closer to Jerusalem and he saw the city ahead, he began to cry. "Eternal peace was within your reach and you turned it down," he wept, "and now it is too late. Luke 19:41-42 TLB

It is not too late for you.

Will you accept His gift?

Alabaster Box

Day 39 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Jesus Christ affirmed on Calvary: grace, forgiveness, love that knows no boundaries.

How could a man of perfection die for all of sinful man, die for a sinful woman like me?

I don’t understand it but I embrace it with a heart broken for the times that I have disappointed Him and turned my back on Him. He gathers my tears in His bottle and writes them in His book.




I am filled with gratitude for His loving arms that lift me up and embrace me when I have fallen. Over and over He drenches me with His love.

Seeking Him

Day 38 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

We are getting close to the time we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

It is a time of sorrow, His death on a cross, and a time of joy, the empty tomb.

May we seek Him more and more.


The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe

Words Aren't Enough

Day 23 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Yesterday I blogged about our life being like a race, we will all cross the finish line at some point.

I have a heavy heart today. Three of our church families are suffering pain from deaths that occurred this week and another family from the loss of their husband/father that happened last month. A very dear friend lost her sixty-four-year-old sister, another member’s eight-year-old son died of pneumonia and another family lost their four-month-old daughter to SIDS.

All those who crossed the finish line this week, were sudden, there were no prolonged illnesses. Death can make its appearance that way. It is not required to send us notice that it is showing up.

The pain they are experiencing is their pain; we can’t compare ours to theirs.

We are at a loss for words when we see these families but that is okay. Hugging and sharing tears can be better than a fountain of words that wound more than heal.

We have the comfort that each of these are in their eternal home in heaven and we who have chosen to believe Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They relied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved…  will be reunited with them for eternity.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NLT

Finish Line

Day 22 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Life is like a race.

“We’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!” Hebrews 12:1-2 Message Version

We start out feeling strong and ready. We get into a grove and are feeling pretty good until we hit that first obstacle, it slows us down a little but we keep pushing on.

The stream we had to cross ended up being deeper

than we had thought and it was cold.

We are no longer comfortable but we still have a long way to go. We decide to take a break and get some nourishment and to talk with other people and before we know it we have wasted precious time.

Now we need to make up for it so we push ourselves hard.

At some point we realize we have gotten off the right path, we wonder how far off we have gotten. We have lost more time and have expended energy that we couldn’t afford to lose. We work our way back to the correct path feeling discouraged wondering if we are the only one who has lost their way.

At this point
we are
barely
running, head down. People are passing us saying encouraging things to us but we are not feeling real receptive to their comments. The hills are getting steeper and running in the dark is scary and dangerous. Occasionally we see the light of another night runner and think “I am not alone.”

“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” Acts 20:24 NIV

Our body will no longer permit running it has brought us to a slow shuffle. The finish line seems so far away and yet the longer we go we know the finish line is getting closer.

We all run the race to the finish, no one avoids getting there, some get there quicker than others but it is inevitable that we will cross under that banner.

“This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause!” 2 Tim 4:7-8 Message

The Real Thing

Day 17 or 40 days of Lenten Posts

In 1969 Coca Cola introduced the slogan, “It’s the real thing.”

Now Coca Cola may think it is the real thing but I can guarantee you it is not.

There is only one real thing and that is Jesus.

He is it. The one and only.

He is our Advocate, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Amen, Author of Life, Author and Perfecter of our Faith, Author of Salvation, Bread of Life, Chief Cornerstone, Chief Shepherd, Christ, Creator, Deliverer, Eternal Life, Faithful and True, Faithful Witness, Firstborn from the Dead, Good Shepherd, Great High Priest, Head of the Church, Healer, High Priest, Holy and True, Hope of Glory, I Am, Immanuel, King Eternal, King of kings, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Living One, Living Stone, Lord of All, Lord of Glory, Mighty God, Morning Star, Only Begotten Son of God, Our Holiness, Protector, Redeemer, Our Righteousness, Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb, Precious Cornerstone, Prophet, Resurrection and Life, Rock, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, the One Mediator, True Bread, True Light, True Vine, Truth, The Way, The Word.

Try to beat that Coca Cola.

Footsteps

This evening my husband was putting some cans of soda in the refrigerator before sitting down for dinner. He bumped a large container of yogurt. It fell out and landed on the floor, the container landed on its bottom but it split open. He pitched the container in the trash and I started grabbing paper towels to clean up the mess. There was yogurt on the floor, the refrigerator, the wall and the cabinet. My husband sat down to eat his hot food while I was wiping things up.

When I finished cleaning up the mess I sat down to eat my cold dinner and a thought ran through my mind: Why did I have to clean up the mess he made?

I heard myself telling myself: “Jesus cleans up your messes.” That was a paradigm shift.

I am grateful that Jesus follows behind me washing me clean from my messes when I ask Him to. He shouldn't have to do that, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords yet He humbles Himself and extends His love and grace to me over and over.

So it was okay that I cleaned up the mess, I was just following in Jesus' footsteps.

Didn't you know that Jesus wears running shoes? He has to to keep up with all of His sheep. :)

I Can See Clearly Now

This morning my world was encased in a shroud. It wasn’t caused by my fuzzy mind but a beautiful fog had descended, hiding the spectacular view that I normally enjoy each day.

The fog was keeping me from seeing what I knew was there. My mind has been in a foggy state for some time and the pity parties I kept throwing myself were getting downright disgusting.

Letting go of what I didn’t have—that sounds strange, how do you let go of something you don’t possess—and embracing, with thanksgiving, all I do have is bringing transformation into my life.

When Jesus hung on the cross and said, “It is finished,” the curtain in the temple was torn top to bottom. If man had done that he would have torn it bottom to top. God was telling us, “Come on in, I took care of the hard part. Sit down, let’s talk, let’s converse. I want to hear all about your pain, your doubts, your needs and then, if you will be still in my presence, I will speak to you.”

I am learning that God’s love fills all the longings that I have, the longings that no person can fulfill because people disappoint.

When hurt comes, and it will, I have a choice—will I allow the hurt to take root and reap a crop of bitterness or will I allow the sweet love of Jesus to wash over me and encase me in a shroud of peace. I choose the peace He extends to me continuously.

Life is so much sweeter.

                                                            View from my deck, isn't it pretty?

MORE LESSONS FROM THE WEDDING AT CANA

Part two of Lessons from the Wedding at Cana
Story from John 2:1-10

4 “How does that concern you and me?” Jesus asked. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “do whatever he tells you.”

Verses 4-5

What Scripture tells us:
     It looks like Jesus is not going to do anything about the problem.

What we would do:
     When we don’t get our prayers answered right away or in the way we
     think they should be answered we loose our faith in God and His
     promises. We turn away from Him and think, and say, that prayer (our request for God to fix our
     problem) doesn’t work.

What Mary did:
     Mary told the servants to “Do whatever he tells you.” She prepared them to receive instructions from
     Jesus. She knew who Jesus was.

What God wants us to learn from this:
     Trust God for the timing and the way He will answer your prayers. Be prepared to receive instruction.


How do you react when it doesn’t seem that God is hearing your prayers? Do you continue believing and listening for His voice? There may be instructions coming before your answer arrives.

Image: Yahoo Images

LESSONS FROM THE WEDDING OF CANA

In reading from the book of John, God showed me lessons He wanted us to learn from the story of the wedding Jesus attended with His mother and His disciples. I will be dividing this up into several posts to keep it from becoming toooo long. I want you to get all of it.

Part one

1 The next day Jesus’ mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother spoke to him about the problem. “They have no more wine,” she told him.
4 “How does that concern you and me?” Jesus asked. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “do whatever he tells you.”
6 Six stone waterpots were standing there; they were used for Jewish ceremonial purposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled to the brim,8 he said, “Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So they followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “Usually a host serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:1-10 New Living Translation

Verses 1-3

What Scripture tells us:
     Mary saw a problem; they had run out of wine.

What we would do:
     Like all women we would want to fix it. Now if we were a typical woman we would have gone to
     our friends, our mother and then our rabbi to tell them all about the problem. When we got around to
     telling Jesus we would have given him a list of suggestions for the best way to fix the problem.

What Mary did:
     Mary went straight to the one she knew could, and would, do something, she went to Jesus. She knew
     who He was. She didn’t know how He would fix the problem and she didn’t give Him a list of
     suggestions, she left the solution up to Him because she knew He could handle it.

What God wants us to learn from this:
     He wants us to follow Mary’s example. He wants us to bring our problems to Him, directly to Him,
     do not pass Go, do not collect $200, just come straight to Him. Then He wants us to trust Him that He
     knows the best way to solve the problem.


How are you doing with the first part of this lesson? Do you take your problems directly to Jesus or is He your last resort? I hope that you know Him like Mary knew Him and trust Him like she trusted Him.

Image: MorgueFile

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Enjoy this Birthday Wish to Jesus

He is Risen

"Do not be amazed and terrified; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He is risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him." Mark 16:6

In the Tomb

Saturday: darkness, hopelessness, sorrow.
Jesus’ body occupied the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. His disciples were devastated. They did not understand what he had been trying to tell them, it would not be a permanent death.

Holy one,
Humble one,
Loving one,
Merciful one

Wounded for my transgressions
Bruised for my guilt
Bearing my iniquities
That I might be free

Death on a cross
Buried in a carved out tomb
Three days of despair
In exchange for eternity
Diane Shaw 2009

Tomorrow we sing.

CONTENT

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Phil 4:11-12 NIV


Do you think Jesus was content in the circumstances he found himself in, hanging on a cross?

Jesus knew his purpose and He was content to fulfill it even through the pain of the scourging and crucifixion.
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42 NIV He didn’t take any short cuts.

He was focused for our sakes. The Father’s love for us is beyond our comprehension.

My Pastor has three wonderful sons and he has often said that there is no way he could sacrifice any of his sons for any of us, even though he loves his congregation. His love for his sons is so great that he would do anything to preserve their lives, not give them in sacrifice.

If there had been another way to redeem mankind from the separation caused in the garden, God would surely be the one to know how it could happen. There was no other way but the way of the cross for Jesus.

God is pleased with us when we have the same unwavering focus to go the direction He is leading us. I wish I could say that I am one who is quick to obey when He calls. Sometimes I am, but other times I dig in my heels and argue with God. Right now I am struggling to be content with something I think God is asking me to do. It will take my time, energy and commitment. When I make a commitment I give it 100%, so there would be no turning back. I am not out to impress anyone with what I can do. I refuse to say yes to God until I can say it from the depths of my heart, He knows the truth anyway.

I am thankful that Jesus did not argue with His Father or hesitate. He gave it his all.