But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
I love the word “Basta” which we use in Portuguese in this verse, which means, “Enough!” or “That’s enough!” God uses this word in reply to Paul in the way a father uses it at the dinner table when the children are all clamoring for attention, or squabbling with one another, “Basta!” In other words, “Settle down. We have more important things to do right now.” When I am sick or just plain exhausted, I often pray reminding God that I belong to Him and need His help to make it through. Though I rarely experience a miraculous answer, if I wait long enough, I always come away with a renewed sense of His grace and enough strength to keep going. In that dark moment I hear the loving voice of my Heavenly Father rising up above the clamor of my hardships, confusions and pain and He cries, “Basta! Be calm! My grace is more than enough for you!” Whatever you may face today as the sun peeks up above the horizon, if you turn your heart to the Lord He will answer. Our Jesus, who did all for us on the cross, till in agony, He cried out, “It is Finished!” “Basta!” It is enough Father; I have given all!” That grace is now so free and open to us today because Jesus gave His all, so that we might never be alone, never abandoned, never without hope. “Basta!” May His grace be more than enough and all you need for today my friends!
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.” John 20:11 ESV
After everyone had left the tomb that morning, still Mary remained. First, the soldiers fled, after first passing out in fear when they saw an angel roll back the stone. Then the women who had come with Mary, returned home once they saw that Jesus was no longer there. Finally, even Peter and John came, but only stayed for a moment before walking away. But Mary, overwhelmed by confusion, grief, and something more that she just couldn’t put into words, stood outside the tomb.
Many of us stand with Mary this morning. A friend has lost his battle with cancer, a wife or husband has walked away, or a child has chosen things we prayed they would never happen. No explanation makes any sense, and most difficult of all is that no one stands with us. No one that is, until…
“And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” John 20:12
When we stoop to look into the tomb, God gives something more. In Mary’s case, that something more began with angels, but for us it could be a phone call from a friend, a neighbor stopping by or even a Christian song heard on the radio. God has not abandoned us. He has not forgotten. Our weeping does come, but it comes to pass. It washes through us like tidal wave, but after it passes, there are angels, messengers of God, sent to ask us a question and calm our hearts.
They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”John 20:13
Notice, the angels didn’t say, “Stop it! Jesus is alive! Don’t worry be happy!” God understands the fragile nature of our heart, and He tenderly begins His work of restoration with a gentle question. Why are we weeping? Where is the source of our hope? Then as tears begin to dry and calm creeps into our hearts, Jesus Himself comes, though we may not yet recognize Him.
Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. John 20:14
Again, the message God brings, is not a loud, “Cheer up!” It comes with a question, asked this time from His very lips, “Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?…” God does not demand hope, command us to smile or require laughter. He comes with a hand to brush tears away and an ear to listen to our needs.
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”Jesus said to her, “Mary.” John 20:15b-16a
He has come, calmed our hearts, and listened to our prayer. Now we are ready. He has gently prepared us to hear His message of hope, and that begins when we hear Him call our name. If you are struggling, in despair, grief or feeling hopeless, don’t give up. All you may have left is like that empty tomb, but don’t walk away. God knows your heart. He is listening, and He is coming, though we may not recognize Him at first. That’s okay! Jesus is standing near, though He might look like the gardener! He remembers you. He has come, and He is calling your name!
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