ALIVE!

Then morning came…..

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.  (The other gospels speak of they as being women—Mary Magdelene included in the group.)

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed therabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments;

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

And they remembered his words.”  Luke 24:1-8

JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!! 

The Lord they had walked with, talked with, saw taken and crucified now was ALIVE….risen, just as He said He would. 

Sadness had been the emotion but now joy takes it’s place.  As  Psalm 30:5 says, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  What a blessing….joy in the morning!  Joy all the time!

Alive, alive.  Jesus is alive!  Forevermore.

One of the most comforting of promises of the Lord is in John 14:19 and goes like this, “….because I live, ye shall live also.”   Another one of my favorite songs is written from this verse and goes like this:

God sent his son. 

They called him Jesus.

He came to love, heal and forgive.

He bled and died to buy my pardon.

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because he lives I can face tomorrow.

Because he lives all fear is gone.

Because I know he holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because he lives.

I can tell you that my Lord is still alive today.  He lives within my heart.  He is my Savior.  He is my dearest friend.  He knows me and He loves me!  I am blessed beyond measure to call him “Father” and know that I’m his child.  I have believed on him and his work on the cross and His salvation is mine!  I’m a sinner saved by grace!

Loved.

Saved.

Blessed.

Do you know my Jesus?

FREE

Crucifixion day has past.  The brutality, mocking, and physical pain is done.  Jesus lies in a borrowed tomb, a tomb sealed tightly.

The scriptures don’t give any writing on much of the happenings during the next three days.  It is said that the women who followed to the sepulchre returned to their homes, prepared spices and ointments, and rested on the Sabbath day.    Otherwise, nothing is documented about anyone else.  My thoughts to follow will be purely my speculations and food for your thoughts.

Maybe the remaining eleven disciples of Jesus went on about their business.  Or maybe they talked quietly among themselves about what had occurred.  Maybe they discussed the fact that Jesus promised that on the third day, he would rise again.  Maybe they grieved that their master was gone.  Maybe some were ashamed that they didn’t stand up for Jesus when he needed them most.

The chief priests and scribes might have had some satisfaction that now the man who did miracles was finally in the grave.  They could have been looking forward to life in their government to be as it was before when they were solely in charge.  They could have thought (as our present day government does) that they know best and now they will handle things the “right” way.  Free now from that deceiver and blasphemer who stirred up the people.

How about blind Bartimaeus?  Before Jesus came, he was blind….now he can see.  

How about the lame man who had never walked before?  He would still be walking around the town.  

How about Jarius’ daughter who was dead but after Jesus came, she was alive again?  

And Lazarus, Mary, and Martha?   Maybe grieved that their friend Jesus was gone.  I would imagine they kept their hope.  

How about the woman with the issue of blood?  She but touched the hem of his garment and was made whole by her faith.  

On that day after crucifixion, these had to be sad that their Lord was in the tomb but they continued to be living testimonies that He is Lord.

The one person I think most about is one man who is mentioned only in one section of the story.  Going back a few hours before crucifixion, think about a murderer sitting in prison.  I would imagine he is sitting there, probably in bonds or shackles, probably a notorious murderer.  He knows it’s crucifixion day and his number is about to come up.  He is looking death in the face.  He hears the soldiers coming.  Their steps get louder and louder as they get closer and closer to the cell.  Imagine his thoughts as he thinks of what is to come.  Imagine the doors open, the soldiers remove the shackles and say, “Barabbas, you are free!  Someone else is dying for you.  Have a nice life.”  I would imagine Barabbas is dumbstruck.  He knows he’s guilty of a horrible crime, a crime worthy of crucifixion.  But what can this mean?  Someone is taking HIS place on the cross?  How can this be?  He’s not going to the cross?  He is free.  Free.  Free.  

I wonder what Barabbas was doing and thinking on this day after the crucifixion?  I try to imagine how I would feel if it were me and try as I may, I can’t even begin to imagine. 

If I really think about it, though, I can know what that is like.  Jesus died on the cross for me.  He took MY place.  Sin’s shackles may be bound around but Jesus died on the cross that I might be freed from those shackles of sin.   He died on the cross so that I might believe on him and be saved.  Saved from sin, washed white as snow, and bound to live with HIM in a heavenly eternity. 

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  John 3:14-17

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”  Romans 6:22

Freedom.  Lasting freedom.  Everlasting joy.

THE CROSS

Scripture references:   Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15:21-47; Luke 23:26-55; John 19:17-42

My emotions have been a bit tender today as I have been thinking about this post about the cross.  The cross.  The horror and the beauty all rolled into one…. horrible way to die and yet a glorious symbol of a Savior and King. 

Crucifixion, the Roman mode of punishment, was a painful way to die.  After the “criminal” was beaten and scourged and much more, the multitude would head to Golgotha, said to mean in Hebrew, a place of the skull. 

It is my understanding from one of the gospels that Jesus began the trip to Golgotha carrying his own cross, but bent and fell from the weight of it.  Not only was it a heavy wooden cross, but it carried with it our iniquities.  A man, Simon of Cyrene, was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus.   A great company of women, men and others followed, crying for him. 

At Calvary, they nailed his hands and feet to the cross and reared it up with him hanging on it.    As we “behold” this manner of death he endured and died, let us  “behold” with what manner of love he had for US.

Above the cross was a sign with a title written by Pilate, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  The chief priests were not happy about this and asked Pilate to write I AM KING OF THE JEWS.  Pilate refused to change the sign. 

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34

The soldiers took his clothing and divided it but cast lots for his coat. 

They gave him vinegar mixed with gall to drink and he would not drink.

They mocked him.

He was crucified with two thieves and hung in the middle of them, the middle one usually signifying the worst crime of the three.   He was at his death counted with the transgressors so that we might be counted with the saints.    One of the thieves said to him “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”  The other rebuked him and said, “…we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” 

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”   Luke 23:42, 43.   Compassion.

The Scriptures say that at about the 6^th hour, there was a darkness all over the earth until about the 9^th hour….three hours of darkness. 

Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Jesus said, “I thirst” and they filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on a branch and gave him.    When he had received the vinegar, he cried, “It is finished,” and he gave up the ghost.    It was about the ninth hour.

The soldiers then broke the legs of the two thieves but when they came to Jesus, saw that he was dead already.   One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and out came blood and water. 

When Jesus died, Matthew 27:51-54 says this:

“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And he graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose.  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

With the evening approaching, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave.  He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.”  John 19:38

Nicodemus, the same Nicodemus who came to Jesus about salvation in John 3:1-21, came also bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes.  The two men took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices which was the Jewish custom of burial.  In the place of the crucifixion was a garden and in that garden was a new sepulchre  (tomb) where no one had laid.  Joseph and Nicodemus put the body of Jesus there….a borrowed tomb.

On the next day the chief priests and scribes came to Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that the deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.”  Matthew 27:63-64

The tomb was made “sure”, the stone was sealed and a watch was set.

Though they called Jesus a "deceiver", I wondered if maybe, just maybe, those chief priests and scribes believed a bit that Jesus WAS who he said and that he WOULD rise again.

Jesus fulfilled the will of his Father by dying on the cross for our sins.  A few months before my father-in-law went to be with the Lord, he told The Husband that he wanted a frame for a picture he had gotten.  I bought a mat, The Husband built a frame, and The Father-in-Law kept the picture hung on his wall until his passing.  The picture is now ours.  It shows and says this:

You might be one who finds the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ life and others a bit far fetched and you might ask if I REALLY believe this.  I will tell you that I REALLY do.   By faith, I know that it all happened just as the scriptures said and by faith I have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and the work HE did on the cross.  Because of that belief, at the end of this life as I know it I will  reside in heaven with him.  Yes, I DO believe for sure and hope that you do as well.   I will cherish that old rugged cross.  I will cling to that old rugged cross because it symbolizes life to me.

There is a man at my church who ends all his prayers ALWAYS with “Thank you for the cross”.  Sometimes we take that for granted but it is to me also one of the most wonderful things for which we have to give thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for the cross.

Amen.

GUILTY

Bible reference:  Matthew 27:11-28; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:12-14, 24-16

The band, captain, and officers of the Jews took Jesus, bound him, and led him to Annas first.  Annas was the father-in-law to Caiaphas who was the high priest that same year.  The high priest asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret I have said nothing.  Why askest me?  Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them; behold, they know what I said.”  John 18:20, 21

When he said these things, one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand.

Annas sent him to Caiaphas, then he was sent to Pilate.  The false accusations by his accusers continued….perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying he himself is Christ the King.

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews?  And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.  Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.”  Luke 23:3,4

The crowd became more fierce, talking about Jesus being from Galilee.  Pilate at this point saw another way out and sent him to Herod, the Galilean jurisdiction.  Herod was in Jerusalem himself at this time.

When Herod saw Jesus he was glad because he had heard many things of him and Herod hoped to see a miracle with his own eyes.  It seemed that Herod was a bit starstruck at the idea.  Herod questioned Jesus but Jesus spoke not a word.   The chief priests and scribes stood by and continue accusing.  Herod with his soldiers mocked Jesus, put on him a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.  An interesting part of my study told me that in the past Pilate and Herod had been somewhat at odds for whatever reason.  Somehow this day, Pilate and Herod buried their differences and became friends. 

Pilate again told the multitude that “I find no fault in this man.”  Pilate, seeing another potential way out knew that it was customary at that feast to release a prisoner.  At that time they had a notable prisoner named Barabbas, accused of murder.  Pilate asked the people gathered, Whom will ye that I release unto you?  Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Christ?” 

Pilate’s wife came to him and told him that she had a dream and that Pilate should have nothing to do with Jesus, this just man.  But the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 

Pilate again asked the multitude which should be released, Barabbas or Jesus?  They all said to let Jesus be crucified.  Pilate argued, “What evil has he done?”  But they cried out all the more, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

When Pilate saw he could make no difference in the decision, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.”  The multitude answered, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Barabbas was freed.

Jesus was scourged.  (Scourging is being beaten with knots of rope or plaited leather thongs, often armed at the ends with acorn-shaped pieces of lead or pointed bones.)

Jesus was stripped and clothed in a scarlet robe.

Jesus had a crown of thorns pushed down onto his head and a reed placed in his right hand.

Jesus was mocked.

Jesus was spit on.

Jesus was smote on the head with the reed.

Jesus was mocked all the more. Then his robe was removed, his own clothing placed back on, and he was lead away to be crucified.   All of this he bore in silence.

Guilty.  Of what?  A desire to do His Father’s will.  Guilty.  Of what?  Love for you and me. 

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

When I ponder what the Lord has done for me, I find myself brought to the Old Testament prophecy, one of my favorite scriptures, in Isaiah 53:3-7 and it reads like this: 

“He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not,

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

THAT’S only part of what He did for you and me.  

SOLD OUT

Luke 22:1-6, 47-65

Back even before the Passover meal, the chief priests and scribes were trying to figure out how they might kill Jesus.  Satan entered into Disciple Judas so Judas went to the chief priests and scribes and struck a deal for thirty pieces of silver.

After Jesus had prayed in the garden, a multitude approached with Judas among them.  Judas came close to Jesus to kiss him.  “But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48  A kiss of betrayal.  A sign that this was the man you want.  Jesus.

One of his disciples asked if they should draw their swords and drew his sword.  He then cut off the right ear of a servant of the high priest.  Jesus immediately touched the ear and healed the servant.    Jesus, in the midst of turmoil, was still showing compassion.

“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?  When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”  Luke 22:52, 53

They took Jesus, and led him to the house of the high priest.  Peter followed from far back. 

Some people made a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting around—waiting to see what happened, I would guess.  Peter just sat there with them.  There was a woman there who spoke and said that Peter was with Jesus.  Peter replied, “Woman, I know him not.”  And after awhile, a man spoke up and said to Peter, “Thou art also of them.”  Peter again said, “Man, I am not.”

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.  And Peter said, Man I know not what thou sayest.  And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  And the Lord turned , and looked upon Peter.  And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  And Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:59-62

In my mind’s eye as I picture that look between Jesus and Peter, I can picture the agony in both sets of eyes.  How many times have I wept bitterly over wrong decisions and painful times?  There’s no weeping like a bitter weeping.  

As for Judas, Matthew 27:3-10 says that when he saw he was condemned, he repented himself and brought the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and scribes saying that he had sinned and betrayed the innocent blood.  The chief priests and scribes were very uncaring.  Judas threw down the silver, left and went and hanged himself.  As for the silver, the chief priests found it unlawful to put back into the treasury as they were the price of blood so they bought a potter’s field in which to bury strangers. 

Sold out.  Denied.  So sad.

THE GARDEN

MATTHEW 26:36-46, MARK 14:32-42, LUKE 22:39-71

After the supper had been finished, Jesus took his disciples and went to a garden called Gethsemane to pray.   He asked his disciples to wait while he took three of his disciples with him further into the garden.  The three that went on with him were Peter, James, and John.  I find it interesting that these were the same three disciples who were with Jesus  on the mountain and witnessed the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13)….a time of joy and wonder so much that the three disciples wanted to stay on the mountain.  Jesus told them to keep the experience to themselves until “the Son of Man be risen from the dead”.  Now they were the three disciples who were asked to go with him deeper into the garden—a place quite the opposite of joy and wonder—a place of deep agony. 

Jesus told the three of his soul’s sorrow and to “tarry here, and watch with me.”  Jesus had no distrust of his father, nor a conflict or struggle within himself, I don’t think.  I believe He knew what was ahead and the human pain it would cause.  He was looking death in the face.

“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39

I find it interesting here that he calls this agony that lies ahead of him a cup.  To me, it would be a river or an ocean that would be totally scary.  I was thinking, though, that the difference in a river, an ocean, and a cup is that you can’t see the bottom of a river or ocean but you can see the bottom of a cup.  I know to Jesus, he saw the “rest of the story”, if you will.  Maybe I, too, should be encouraged in times of trouble that it is only a “cup” and I can see the bottom.

After praying this prayer, he returned to his three disciples and found them asleep.  Asleep!  He asked them if they could not watch with him one hour.    “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:  the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Matthew 26:41

So he went back for the second time to pray.  “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”  Matthew 26:42.  Willingly.  The gospel of Luke tells that an angel appeared unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And that being in such agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus came and found the disciples asleep.  Again.  Sound asleep.

So he went back for the third time and prayed the same words.  When he came back to his disciples, he told them to sleep on and take their rest for the hour was at hand that He would be betrayed. 

To me, there’s a lot of sadness in this part of the Easter story.   Sadness that Jesus had done so much and showed so much love to his disciples and they couldn’t even stay awake to comfort him and be there for him.  Sadness that Jesus, feeling the pain in his soul would have to be in such agony.   It does show me that anything I experience in my life, He’s already experienced and been there.  The sins of the whole world were weighing on his shoulders.

There have been a few times in my life that my soul has been so sorrowful and fearful that I have REALLY prayed with my face to the ground.  Sadly, I don’t pray that earnestly as much as I should.  I try to go with a prayer on my heart daily and talk to the Lord as I do my daily “stuff” but as for praying in agony, it’s not a regular thing for me.  I know that I want to strive to be closer to my Heavenly Father in prayer and be assured by faith that the “rest of the story” will be in accordance to my heavenly Father’s will.   I need to be more willing to do my Father’s will.  Willing.

One of our choir’s Easter songs this year is one of my favorites.  I’ll bet you think I have a lot of favorites and you would be right.  The song is titled “He Was Willing” and speaks volumes to me.  It goes like this:

It must have been lonely that day in the garden

When Jesus knelt a stone’s throw away.

Bent low beneath the burden, he prayed to his father

Be thy will, let this cup pass away.

An angel came to strengthen the Savior

As earnestly he prayed there that day

And sweat like drops of blood fell on the ground before him

Deeply grieved, he knelt there to pray.

He was driven by compassion for the lost and the dying.

No other way our sins could atone.

He knew the time was nearing when he would be taken

He would bear the sting of death all alone.

The cross was just ahead on Mt. Calvary

In agony his life he would give

But he could see beyond to that resurrection morning

He would die so that others might live.

He was willing to suffer such agony

He was willing his life he would give

For he could see beyond to that resurrection morning

He would die so that others might live…..might live…

He would die so that others might live…..might live.

Willing to suffer for me.  Willing to suffer for you.   Willing.

A SUPPER

After Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he spent some time with different teachings to his disciples.    The time spent at “The Last Supper” as it is so familiarly called is documented in all four gospels—Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:3-39, and John 13.

The supper took place on the first day of the feast of the unleavened bread.  Jesus sent two of his disciples, Peter and John, to prepare.    After they had asked him where to prepare, Jesus replied and told them that when they entered into the city, they would find a man bearing a pitcher of water.  (This was a different kind of thing as women were the usual waterbearers.) He told them to follow that man into the house where he went.  They were told to say to the goodman of the house that the Master told them to ask for the guest chamber where he might eat the Passover with his disciples.  The Goodman would show them an upper room.  Peter and John went and found the upper room and made ready.

The Bible says that when the hour was come, Jesus and his twelve disciples entered the upper room.  I try to imagine how the disciples must have felt.  Did they feel the somber mood?  Were they grieving over what might be to come?  Or were they clueless?

Matthew 26:21:  “And as the did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”  This news certainly made the disciples sorrowful and fearful and they began to question, “Is it I?”  Of course, the Lord knew….the Lord knows all about us.  Jesus let them know it was someone familiar as he said in Matthew 26:23, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.”  Judas, calling the Lord “Master” asked if he was him and the Lord replied, “Thou hast said.”  Something I learned in this study was that Judas was the keeper of the money….had the moneybag with him on a regular basis.  Can greed get the best of us all some days?  Greed for money?  Greed for worldly pleasures?  Greed for self?

As the Lord’s Supper was instituted, Jesus took the bread, and gave thanks, and brake it and gave to them saying, “This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.”  Likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”  Luke 22:19, 20

At my church, we celebrate communion three times a year, once in the spring, once in the fall, and on Christmas Eve.  This is just when our congregation has set aside to do this.  Communion to me is one of the sweetest times in the life of a Christian when taken with humbleness, remembrance, and thanksgiving for what the Lord has done.  One of my favorite organ songs to play during this service is “Jesus Paid it All”.  It says “Jesus paid it all.  All to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain.  He washed it white as snow.”  I love that.   After the two regular communion services, tradition at our church is a feet washing service.  This is not so common many places anymore and I won’t go into the whole thing of that, it’s a personal choice for participation.  I will say when I have participated at the leading of the Spirit, I have been truly blessed.  I can say, too, that I have been blessed watching.   The gospel of John documents the washing of the feet at the supper.

The scriptures say that when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  Jesus said unto them, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written,  I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED ABROAD.  (Zechariah 13:7 prophecy)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.”  A promise to rise.....

Peter, being an outspoken and confident disciple, told Jesus adamantly that he would NEVER be offended, even though all others are.    Jesus tells Peter that Satan desires to have him (Peter) and sift him as wheat but He (Jesus) has prayed for Peter that his strength fail not.  In spite of Peter’s claims that he was ready to go ALL the way with Jesus,  ‘Jesus said unto him “Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shall deny me thrice.”  Matthew 26:34….not once, not twice, but THREE times.

Peter and all the disciples agreed that though they should die with him they would NOT deny him.  The disciples, as we do today, have a road paved with good intentions.  Sincere intentions. Believable intentions.

I like to think I would say the same as Peter---No, no Lord, I will never deny you.  When I think about it,  I know in my heart that I deny him almost daily, just by not sharing Him and His gospel with others who might not know Him. 

I do find comfort in these passages speaking of Jesus’ conversation with the disciples at the beginning of the supper.  Luke 22:11-15 says, “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat the Passover with you before I suffer; For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  A promise that He would be back……

HOSANNA!

From the four gospels you may find the reference for this post.  They are Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-40, and John 12:12-19.

“Hosanna” is defined as a fervent and worshipful praise.

In my studies, the gospel of John says that the next day after the supper at Bethany, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said, “Go your way into the village over against you; and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.  And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? Say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.”  (Mark 11: 2,3.)

So the disciples went their way, found the colt, and were asked by the ones there why they needed the colt.  After their explanation, just as Jesus instructed, they let them go with the colt in tow.    They brought the colt to Jesus and laid their garments on it and Jesus sat upon it.  Now most all the time Jesus walked wherever he went and had very little possessions other than what others provided for him.  Now he would ride.

Because of the feast of the Passover, many people had come to Jerusalem.  Common people.  News of Jesus’ miracles had gone before him.  When the people heard Jesus was coming, they cast their clothes on the ground for him as well as took branches of palm trees and went to meet him.  Palms signified victory.  They cried out to him, “Hosanna: blessed is the king of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

At first the disciples didn’t understand but when Jesus was glorified, they remembered what was written and prophesied by Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation;  lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”  (Zechariah 9:9)

I wonder how Jesus was feeling in HIS heart, knowing He was coming into Jerusalem for His own death?  Riding up to Jerusalem to do His Father’s will--the King of Kings and Lord of Lords riding into Jerusalem, not in a big showy “parade” of sorts as many regal kings and rulers would require for themselves but slowly on a borrowed colt to the shouts of “Hosanna!  Hosanna!” 

I wonder, too, how those in the crowd felt seeing him there.  Many were just curious, many were angry of the attention He was getting, many just wanted to be in the crowd for the “fun” of it, but many were there because they knew Jesus as King and believed the prophecy....Jesus, the Lamb of God.

The last book in the Bible, Revelation, is written by John, focusing on prophetic events of things to come.  John says in Revelation 7:9-10, "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;  And cried with a loud voice, saying, SALVATION TO OUR GOD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB."

Palms...of victory!

On most every calendar on the date of the Sunday before Easter, you will find it says “Palm Sunday”.   A true description reminding us of that day of the triumphal entry and victory to come!

AN ALABASTER BOX

I had a conversation the other day with my good Catholic friend.  Now I can’t remember why we were even on the subject but he told me that the one “story” from the Bible that gave him the most encouragement was the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  I thought a little about that on that day but not much, truly.  Monday of this week, I was hearing some Southern gospel and a song came on titled “Four Days Late”.  This song told the story of Lazarus (imagine) so I began to listen.  In the song, it talks about how that Jesus didn’t come right away but waited till Lazarus had been dead for four days.  All hope seemed to be gone.  But as it happened, Jesus came and raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.  The song’s point was that “isn’t it great when He’s four days late, He’s still on time”. 

What I want to talk about today happened six days before Passover back in the days of Jesus. This story is told similarly in the gospels of Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9,  and John 12:1-8 just in case you want to read them.  They are attributed to be from the same event.   I brought up Lazarus because on this particular day, Jesus was in a house in Bethany and Lazarus was there also.  This was after Lazarus had been resurrected.  They were in this house for a meal, a supper, a most important meal--probably a meal of fellowship and friendship and possibly there was much joy that Lazarus, too, was there.  From the readings, it leads us to believe that several people were in attendance.

The Gospel of Matthew 26:7 says “there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.”   The story in John elaborates that "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment."  (Spikenard is  an aromatic perennial herb of the Himalaya Mountains, having rose-purple flowers.)  Of course, the disciples there, being just like we are most times, were complaining that using this real expensive ointment was a huge waste.    Shucks, it could have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor.   How dare she use it in a wasteful way?  

Jesus answered them in Matthew 26:10-13 like this, “…why trouble ye the woman?  For she hath wrought a good work upon me.  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”

A memorial.  Of her.  She did a good thing with an alabaster box of ointment.  An act to her Lord  from her heart.   An alabaster box….. a box of a fine-texture usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments holding an ointment that itself is very costly. 

I can never hear of any box or gifted item such as this without remembering an experience in my own life that I must share here.  Several years ago, I directed the Children’s Choir and we had fun singing together. If I remember correctly, the particular Wednesday was Valentine’s week.  One of the little guys, probably in kindergarten then—maybe middle schoolish by now—came into practice and sweetly handed me a gift.   Now this is the little guy with the reputation of much mischief.  (I could always see through that mischief to his sweet heart.)   His gift was a little paper mache heart shaped box that he had done in school that day….red and white with foam stick ons.  I declared it’s beauty and thanked him profusely for it.  His mother told me later that he brought it home, got it out, and she had begun to thank him when he said, “It’s not for you, it’s for Ms. Bwenda.”  The poor mother.  I felt bad for her just for a minute, then my joy at my own good fortune took over my emotions.   She, of course, was laughing about it and we  get joy from the story now years later but I’ll tell you that my heart was REALLY warm and fuzzy.  That little box sits on a shelf in my studio room still today and every time I look at it, I am reminded of a child’s love.  For me.  And I feel good all over again.

When I think of Mary’s alabaster box, I think of the love that she had for her Lord.  To her, the cost didn't matter.  She was giving the best to Him she could give.  I wonder if I give Him as much from my own alabaster box as I should.  Do I give the best I can to Him? Or do I worry more about what my best will cost me?    I know the Lord knows my heart, my faults, and loves me anyway.   I know the importance of love, praise, worship, and glory to HIS name as well as the strength and spirit-filled joy it gives me in my life to exercise that love, praise, worship, and glory to HIS name.  I am so blessed, as Mary was, to call Him MY Savior and Lord.

At last fall’s Bible Study I attended, a song was sang that I had never heard before titled “Alabaster Box”.  It touched me and every lady hearing it that night.   I thought I would share the lyrics with you as I close today's post.  It goes like this:

“The room grew still

As she made her way to Jesus

She stumbles through the tears that made her blind

She felt such pain

Some spoke in anger

Heard folks whisper

There's no place here for her kind

Still on she came

Through the shame that flushed her face

Until at last, she knelt before his feet

And though she spoke no words

Everything she said was heard

As she poured her love for the Master

From her box of alabaster

And I've come to pour

My praise on Him

Like oil from Mary's alabaster box

Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears

And I dry them with my hair

You weren't there the night He found me

You did not feel what I felt

When he wrapped his love all around me and

You don't know the cost of the oil

In my alabaster box

I can't forget the way life used to be

I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound

And I spent my days

Poured my life without measure

Into a little treasure box

I'd thought I'd found

Until the day when Jesus came to me

And healed my soul

With the wonder of His touch

So now I'm giving back to Him

All the praise He's worthy of

I've been forgiven

And that's why

I love Him so much”

What will you give Him from your alabaster box?

MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR

Year and years ago (yes, literally years and years ago) my favorite time of the year was Christmas.  The Christmas tree decorating, the paper chains, icicles on the tree, and the presents...ah, the list is endless of the fun that was to be had.  I've found, though, as I have gotten older that my "favorites" have changed.  Now understand, I like to get presents as much as others do.   I love tree decorating, cookie making, church Christmas plays, and Joy to the World the Lord is come.

However, let's say as I have "matured", I have recognized that my favorite time of the year has changed.  Instead of happening in the winter, it happens in the spring.  Easter.  I love Easter.  It's my favorite time of the year now.  Not because of the Easter eggs.  Now I've enjoyed many egg hunts in my years.  I've enjoyed the egg coloring.  I've enjoyed many deviled eggs, potato salad, and egg salad sandwiches the days after Easter.  I've enjoyed Easter frocks and Easter bonnets and all the other fun stuff that many consider when they consider Easter.

Now in my life for the past several years, the faith part of Easter has become the most important and my favorite.  I realize anew what Jesus went through for me, why it went through it for me, and what it means to me NOW.

I'm probably one of very few Christians that has not seen the movie, The Passion of the Christ.  I have it unopened in my cabinet.  I know that to the many who have seen it, it was worth the watch.   I just could never get my heart set to watch it.  It's not that I don't realize what Jesus did for me.  I think it's that I've read the scriptures and try to KNOW what they say and as I have read time and time again, I think in my own mind and heart I have it pictured there.  I don't want someone else's thoughts and pictures in my mind and spiritual heart.  I want my own....the ones God puts there.  That's what's important to me.  So I may watch it sometime and I may not but that would be the reason why I have not.

So with that in mind, I invite you my blog readers to join me starting tomorrow and all of next week as I remember what HE did and why I can celebrate Easter with a happy heart and joy that runs my cup over.  My hope is to have a post each day as I "remember".

Stay tuned.