The angels spoke to her, “Why are you crying?” they asked. “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him!” she said. Then she turned and noticed Jesus standing there, without realizing that it was Jesus. John 10:13-14 Phillips
This of all weeks it matters if we have been with Jesus. Our hopes, our experiences and dreams are all focused on one event and one alone. Jesus has come back from the dead. Have you seen Him? Do you know where they have put our Lord? He is calling to you and me. Have you been with Jesus? He longs to be with you!
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 KJV
After the resurrection of Jesus, His disciples went everywhere preaching the Gospel with boldness. These were not well known or politically connected men and women. None of them was wealthy or even had a formal education. What stood out to others was the fact that they had been with Jesus. If we were arrested and brought before a courtroom, what would people notice about our Christian lives? Might they be impressed with our nicely remodeled homes or the car we drive? Would folks be amazed by our educational credentials or the well-connected people we were friends with – or would they first take notice that we had been with Jesus?
In the book of Revelation, Jesus tells one of the churches that He was knocking on the door of their hearts. That’s right, Jesus was knocking on the church door, because as they lived their daily lives, they had left Him locked outside. Maybe this morning – with Easter right around the corner – we might pause and ask ourselves, What difference has Jesus Christ made a difference in our lives today? If we’re not sure then the good news is that He is still willing to change that. All we have to do is go to the door and invite Him back in. He has a peace to share that nothing in this world can touch and a joy that no one will take away. Stress and fear will not be able to stand in the presence of the one who loved us enough to give His life on the cross so that we could forever be with Him! Have you been with Jesus today?
Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”. Mark 5:41 ESV
One of the first things I noticed when we visited friends in Switzerland, was how many languages everyone there could speak. In the years since our Swiss vacation, I myself have learned Portuguese and on occasion have acted as a translator. That experience has taught me that even for fully bi-lingual people, it makes a difference which language is best to use depending on the situation. For those used to speaking a single language the idea of effortlessly switching from one to another seems strange, but there is a simple reason behind the practice. We all have a native tongue and that one is the language of our heart.
In the story from which today’s scripture comes, a family had just lost a young child. The father had personally gone and begged for Jesus to come and heal her. But even though Jesus came almost immediately, by the time they arrived at the home it was too late. The man’s daughter lay cold and dead in her bedroom. The house was already filled with weeping neighbors, but Jesus had good news for that family as well as for us. It is that it is never too late for Him. There is no situation beyond His control. If we only will still our fears and quiet our hearts, we will hear Jesus calling for us to rise and He is speaking in the language that our heart understands. “Don’t worry about who you are, what you face, or what others are saying. I have come just for you!”
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