Easter

At Daybreak

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Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. John 21:4 ESV

This morning Jesus is standing at the shore in your life. He is waiting for you to see Him at dawn and come running. He has watched you all night as you were working hard trying to fish without Him.

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Jesus is waiting at daybreak on your shore eagerly anticipating your arrival. He has baked fresh bread and fish on the campfire. He is ready to share all that He has with us. But first He commands us to cast out our nets once more.

Jesus is standing on our shore waiting for us to see Him, waiting to share and waiting with one simple question; “Do you love Me?”

Can we answer as Peter did, “Lord you know all things. You know that I love you.”?

When we can answer that from our hearts; then Jesus reminds us all again to; “Feed my sheep!” and “Follow Me!”

The Road Ahead

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And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15 KJV

Sometimes we look at Easter as a single defining event of our faith. But the Good News of Easter morning is that, as we walk (or run in Peter’s case) from the tomb, Jesus comes and walks along at our side.  If we believe that living for Jesus means we having to do everything just right, then we will often feel like giving up.  I am so encouraged to know that on the first Easter, Jesus decided to walk with disciples who were far from perfect. Let’s listen in on their conversation a bit:

But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…. Luke 24:21 ESV

In other words; they had given up hope. They just didn’t get it. Why had Jesus died? On those kinds of days Jesus draws near and asks:

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Luke 24:26 ESV

Just like a doctor treating a wound Jesus pokes and prods with questions that can make us feel uncomfortable. But His examination is for the purpose of healing and focusing our thinking on His cross, His forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer: Father my hope this morning is no longer that I have everything right, but that You will come along side today. Come Lord and walk with me and lead me to the cross that meant death for You and eternal life for me.

Three Short Days

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Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb John 20:1 ESV

Just a few years ago we had twenty four inches of snow fall in our city. Cars were buried, streets were closed and everyone’s schedule came to a screeching halt! But three weeks later, with the temperatures reaching 80 degrees, the snow vanished. What a difference three short weeks made!

landscape photography of dried trees on snow covered ground

Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

One Sunday morning 2000 years ago just think what a difference three short days made. On Friday the disciples fled in fear. When Joseph and Nicodemus put Jesus into the tomb it seemed that all hope lay cold and dead. But on that dark morning when Mary came she discovered in astonishment that the stone had been rolled back and the grave stood empty!  Then Jesus Himself drew near. But Mary mistook Him for a simple gardener, until He called her name and then she was filled with joy. Not much has changed in 2000 years. We think of Him as many things but we only know Him when He comes and calls our name! What a difference three short days have made!

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