Pastor Allen was reading from
Matthew 28 On the first day of the week, the women came to the sepulcher.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel
of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the
door, and sat upon it. His
countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did
shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the
women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as He said.
Can you imagine the fearful
experience of a huge earthquake, an angel whose face shone like lightning, and
the guards shaking speechless?
One thing to note are the
words “As He said.” God is faithful and
He keeps His word.
We are free from the curse
because of the empty tomb. The tomb
could not hold Him.
The cross was necessary - - and
the resurrection was essential.
When Jesus on the cross said,
“It is finished,” He was not merely saying his human life was done, but that
the old covenant was finished. There was
no further need for the priests to make the animal sacrifices. The Lamb of God (Jesus) was slain once and
for all, and was the final sacrifice.
I am reminded that at the
cross, we left the old person we used to be and will never be the same. At the resurrection we were made alive and
passed from death unto life on that day.
The resurrection was a new day and a new beginning.
As the disciples viewed Jesus
on the cross, they were terrified. They
had followed him for three years and now their leader was dead. Peter was devastated for he had just committed
what he vowed he would never do. He had denied the Lord not once, but three
times.
Have you ever gone back on
your word? Promised to make a call, and forgot
to follow up?
We get discouraged, stuff
happens, there are medical conditions, job loss, perhaps betrayal, but
understand it is NOT over until you say it is.
Stand up and take a step forward.
Pastor said, “I wake up with
a nice list of things I need to do, but then I get distracted and often don’t
follow through.”
Regardless of our choices,
God is faithful and He keeps His word.
As we take communion, may we
reflect inwardly; Are we where God wants us to be? If not, are you willing to make a step toward
change? Jesus has provided a way to be
back with Him in a right relationship.
His blood can wash away any sin and provides a fresh start.
Lord we thank you for your broken
body and your blood that was shed for our sins and our healing.
3 comments:
"As he said." Even if our words are just to ourselves, God knows if we're keeping that commitment or not. I think I'll try to stay a little more focused today to do the things I've set out to do. :) Thanks for this, Hazel.
All I can ever do, day-by-day, is trust in the Lord and what happened in and through Him. I look forward to seeing Him in heaven! Thanks for sharing.
The flesh is indeed weak, but the blood of our Savior accounts for all of it and us… What an amazing love…
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