As we get closer to Easter we need to remember what our faith is really about. Christianity is not about big church buildings, Christian concerts with special effects or elaborate social programs. Instead all that we are and everything we do is based on one single morning at a tomb. The body of Jesus was supposed to be inside it. The priests were counting on it because they had sent a guard. Pilate was sure of it because it was shut with a Roman seal. Even the closest friends of Jesus believed He would be there because they went with spices to prepare the body. And the grave was shut. The tomb was silent. The death from crucifixion was final….Until it wasn’t!
“You seek Jesus who was crucified” the angel said. “He is not here for He has risen as He said!” Matthew 28:5-6a And in that moment all History turned on the hinge of one simple miracle, an empty tomb and a risen Lord!
I loved this new release from The Weaver family in Pennsylvania. It is both simple and powerful- like that very first Easter morning!
The flowers appear on the earth, the of singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle(dove) is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:12
While our year begins in Winter, with the month of January, you might be very surprised to learn that God’s calendar begins with a month called Abib in the Spring and coincided with the barley harvest. Spring was also when the Jewish people celebrated the Passover, their deliverance from Egypt and their beginning as a nation.
But did you know that Abib was also the month when Jesus died? Just as the Israelites passed through the Red Sea to their freedom, so the death of Jesus on the cross means freedom from the power of sin over us as believers and the beginning of a new life.
So with Easter just two short weeks away, let’s pause and remember that our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead also means the celebration of the beginning of a new life. As we tear off the final page of our calendar every December 31st and put a new calendar on the wall, why not tear off a page this Spring and put a fresh calendar of God’s promises on the wall of your heart. You may just be amazed to watch as He parts the Red Sea and leads you into the freedom of a wonderful new life in Jesus Christ!
A few folks might have wondered why I haven’t been posting and suffice it to say that the last 4-5 days have been filled with everything I own is breaking. The dryer only works if you shake it, the older of our two cars has an incurable disease that Suzuki doesn’t make the parts for anymore and my new lap top is on its way back to Dell. When God says that all things work together for my good I always wish I got to pick which things. But since that is obviously not the plan of my loving invisible Father I have decided that must mean I need to stop complaining and wishing for what I think of as better times and start doing what I can with what He does give.
One great thing God allowed was that on Saturday we were given permission for the first time to meet indoors with the Seniors from Sunshine Christian Village. Even in Florida, Winter can mean some chilly days for folks coming in on Jazzy scooters and wheel chairs. With the indoor venue it was heart warming to see a larger group come. We were all with masks and spaced about 10′ apart so it was as safe and far more blessed than a trip to Walmart. Unfortunately I can’t show the video yet so I’m posting a classic from a few years back that I pray will be a blessing to you.
Mr. Turtle andLife From the Dead
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31 ESV
Long ago I brought home a little turtle I had found crawling across the road. As I walked in the door that afternoon our two young sons rushed over to see what I was holding. They were so excited to see this curious new pet and they quickly made up a box for him complete with water and grass. But Mr. Turtle wanted nothing to do with his cardboard home. He wouldn’t eat or drink anything. In fact each day he grew weaker until finally he barely moved. We sadly explained to our boys that Mr. Turtle was sick and needed to be set free. Our car was filled with an atmosphere of mourning as we drove out of town, to find a spot to release him. Finding a quiet wooded area we pulled over then took him gently out of his box and put him on the ground. At first Mr. Turtle remained motionless, but after a minute he slowly eased one foot out of his shell and then the other. Finally he poked out his head, stood up and raced away as fast as his stubby legs could carry him! Mr. Turtle’s surprising ending reminded me of another story. It made me remember the day that they buried Jesus and walked sadly away. But just three days later He placed first one foot, then the other on the ground; sat up, ran out of the grave and into the light!
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