Friday Ending – Sunday Beginning
Part II
Resurrection Sunday is a remembrance of suffering and death, so why are we celebrating? What is our point of reference for our now lives? Where does this revelation of Jesus Christ even come from? Simple, it is all a part of God’s plan to save sin-sick man! It’s genius that God arranged for the blood of ONE man (created from God’s own very essence as His son) to be the atonement for all of man (generations) from the beginning of time (on earth) to the beginning of eternity (in heaven). Jesus loved us to death… because His Father said so.
The Flesh Became the Word. Jesus is the living Word of the Bible for us today. Words can be the reason for an increase of knowledge and understanding, and words can be the reason for disconnects, untruths, and mis-understandings. The word of Jesus Christ of Nazareth was spreading; His public ministry was three years in length, estimated to have taken place in 27-29 A.D. (Anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of the Lord”). The Israelites were so deeply passionate about “words” (the law) that they missed the manifestation of the very Messiah they sought. There was confusion about who Jesus was and what He came to accomplish. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. (Luke 19:01 NIV). For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be SAVED. (John 3:16-18 KJV)
Everywhere that Jesus went, He created an avalanche of change for those around Him. Who else changes water to fine wine?!? He chased demons from the mind of Mary Magdalene. He gave sight to the blind and opened the ears of the deaf. He cured those with deformities and diseases, and healed those with all manner of infirmities. The darkness of the later part of His life – Friday’s death on the cross – made way for Jesus’ ministry, God’s purpose in saving His children for us now, today. When He arose from the dead on Sunday morning, prophecy was fulfilled and the universe would never be the same.
Who is He? Jesus is a blend of old meeting new becoming life’s integration. He is no respecter of person, embracing the dirtiest of the dirty (spirit, mind, body) and the moralist of the intelligent (clean, upright, learned) absolutely the same. Following Him, believing in Him, means getting used to the different and accepting that He sees you, the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Are We There Yet? What are we doing with our faith in Jesus Christ – the ONE who was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power – who beat Hell and the devil and arose on the third day? Has He truly bridged the gap between ourselves and God? How does He show up in our lives, are we giving faith a fighting chance every day, do we see the grace and wonder of our Savior?
We can tell how we live the life of Jesus within our soul if:
We create a spiritual practice that takes us into God’s presence and develops greater reliance on Him. Spiritual practice is whatever you do on a regular basis to honor God and magnify Him in your being (spirit, mind, body). Always starting with prayer, and then any combination of anything else that will bring value for you before Him. Examples: reading scripture, reading Christian books, listening to songs about the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, writing, singing, dancing, exercising to scripture/Christian songs, praying with others, sitting or walking in silence, doing a specific service for someone else. The amount of time, the place or portion of the day/night is up to you, it should be consistent, private, and flexible enough to change as you find answers and grow.
We no longer have a Q&A with the Lord every time we don’t understand something. While it can be a long stretch of time between the why God why, when God when, and the I don’t understand but Your will be done God. Thank you, Jesus, God does answer prayers, in His timing for our good. Our relationship can really be strained when we try to understand everything – and do not build our spiritual muscles to trust God in all things.
We offer God our heart and mind in worship. The place where we meet God is One on one, in spirit and in truth. Worship originates from within, a place in the heart that is sincere and motivated by our love for God. Worship explodes from inward to outward gratitude for who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do – hope in what is to come.
I’m praying that the owner of every eye that gazes on this blog and every ear that hears about it will be blessed and find the love of God in their house! That love is gonna make you brave. Pain’s gonna make you strong. Joy’s gonna give you peace. And peace is gonna be your song. The Word will be your light. And grace will be a friend. The Lord’s gonna build your house. And the Spirit’s gonna move on in. (Highlighted from “This House” by Evvie McKinney)
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Gayle Smith
