Alive!

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:1-6


Celebrate what the angels said,
“Why look here when He’s not dead?”

Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
This is the day -
Sin like a stone is now rolling away.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Love reaching down -
Handing us hope from on high. . .
He is alive!!!!

"Alive" - Jeff Peabody/Scott Krippayne

Saturday

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again,' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Matthew 27:62-66

I think that Saturday must have been one of the longest days in the history of the world. He was dead. The disciples had all deserted. While he had told them what was going to happen, they hadn't understood. Jesus's "it is finished"(John 19:30), must have sounded to his followers ears like "it is all over." He's not who we thought he was. We were beginning to think maybe he was the Messiah. . .the one sent to save us. Instead of watching him take the throne, yesterday we watched him die.

Imagine the disciples' hopelessness at not having the whole picture. Without the resurrection, the crucifixion is pointless. It's not the climax of the story, it's the end. Without Sunday, Saturday is as grim as it gets.

How often that is how I live. God has told me in his Word time and again that He is in control. That he has a plan. That he will redeem the pain and sorrow and turn it into joy and dancing. But then comes a crisis. And Saturday rolls around, and I'm without hope. I forget all of His promises. Every one. I settle into the misery of my situation, feeling every bit as hopeless as things look. Forgetting the promises of the God I know. Forgetting that if he says he will redeem, he will redeem. If he says he will be faithful, he will be faithful. If he says he will rise, he will rise.

God, help us trust you. Remind us that we are not to the end of our stories yet. That this page in the middle may look grim, but there are more chapters to come. When things look hopeless, remind us that you are the God of hope.

Meg Henderson

Proof of Love

Please read Mark 15:16-39.
Click here to read this passage online

My college roommate kept telling me, "He is totally in love with you!", referring to Dave, when we were first dating. If I'd had to rely on my roommate's words reassuring me of Dave's love, I may have been less than convinced. Dave had to do that himself. I must say, his efforts were quite impressive. Once, he arranged for a row boat complete with a splendid picnic lunch hidden in a basket at the other end of a pond. Before I accept the reality of something to be true, I'll admit, I like to have proof of the sincerity and the validity of the person saying it. People go to unbelievable lengths to demonstrate their love for another. It is how we are wired, emotionally. God, in His infinite wisdom and understanding of how we think, knew this. He knew we may have a hard time wrapping our hearts around mere words. "God loves you."

If you read a review calling a movie a "profoundly beautiful love story", would you immediately think of 'The Passion of the Christ' by Mel Gibson? Honestly, I find the details of Christ's suffering to be very troubling and difficult to take in. But every excruciating detail of Christ's harrowing trial, beatings, and crucifixion is layered with graphic details of how far He was willing to go, how much He was willing to endure to demonstrate, to prove, His love for us. What is truly incredible and humbling in this love story is what God requires of me. He needed no proof of my love for HIm. in fact, the opposite is evident. He had plenty of proof that I was against Him, a sinner. "But God demonstrated (proved) His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". Romans 5:8

When I take communion this Sunday, I take the cup, symbolizing Christ's blood, flowing from tortured flesh. "Remember", He says, "Remember that I love you."
I take the bread, symbolizing Christ's battered, broken body. "Remember", He says, "Remember I love you and I'd endure anything to prove it to you".

When I looked at the cross, I turned away.
My stomach twisted in nausea.
I did not want to look at this display of blood, torn flesh and ugliness,
"Spit", "naked", "scourged" - these words are disturbing
So I turn away.

He looked into my soul.
The stench of sin scratches at His pure nostrils,
The sewage that is coveting and lust.
There His holy eyes saw the festering, open sores of pride and selfishness.
Sin, formed a greasy layer over my soul.
He did not turn away.
"I love you", He said.

Shannon Wittenberg

If You Can’t Trust Your Friends…

Please read Matt 26:47-56.
Click here to read this passage online

Led on. Let down. Turned against. Sold out. Betrayed.

Unfortunately, nearly all of us know the feeling of being thrown under the bus by someone we had hoped would treat us better. We may have seen it coming, or maybe we didn’t. Either way, it hurt. The closer we felt to our betrayer, the deeper the wound and the greater the damage.

Jesus saw his own betrayal coming well in advance. It could even be said he set himself up; he chose his own betrayer. Standing in the garden that night, feeling Judas’ kiss on his cheek, he didn’t kick himself for trusting someone he shouldn’t have trusted. But because he was as human as you or me, I think Jesus felt it as deeply and painfully as any of us would have in his place. What would it feel like to know one of your closest friends would place you in the hands of the enemy with a smile and a kiss? Is it far-fetched to imagine that the human part of Jesus was hoping that just maybe, in some twist of the story God might throw in at the last minute, Judas would make a more honorable choice, that his friend wouldn’t be able to go through with the treachery he’d planned? Along with all the physical brutality Jesus knew lay ahead of him, at the moment of Judas’ kiss, he also felt the stab of having been sold out by a friend.
Skip to the end of the passage: “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” Ouch. Jesus wasn’t just betrayed by one of his disciples; he was betrayed by them all.

The betrayals I’ve experienced are microscopic compared to Jesus’ that night—or even compared to the devastating betrayals experienced by others I know. While I may not be quick to draw my sword and cut off an ear, neither am I quick to call my betrayer, “Friend.” Yet that’s exactly what Jesus did. Because as human as he was just then, Jesus is the opposite of treacherous; his name is Faithful and True [Rev. 19:11], and he is faithful and just [1 John 1:9]. Even as his friend abandoned him, Jesus did not abandon his friend.

Nothing about Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and the cross was accidental. There are many ways he could have been taken into the hands of his enemies. Yet Scripture predicted he would be betrayed, and it happened that way on purpose. It’s worth asking why. I don’t even pretend to have the answers, but here are a couple things I see:

When I am disloyal and faithless, Jesus says, “Friend,” and offers me his forgiveness if I’m willing to accept it.
~“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

When I am wounded and hurting and alone, Jesus shows me his own pain and sacrifice, and comes alongside me with his love, comfort, and healing.
~“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
~“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Jesus, I don’t know why betrayal was a key part of your journey to the cross for me. Perhaps to magnify even further the pain and injustice you were willing to endure to express your love for me. It’s as if you went to every length you could think of to make sure there was no way I could question the measure of your sacrifice. All I can do is say thank you. Thank you for forgiving me when I betray you, myself, and others. Thank you for being my healer when I am wounded, and for being faithful, trustworthy, and just. Please give me the courage and compassion to stand alongside others who have been betrayed, and to stand for you when the enemy comes threatening.

Krysti Hall

Betrayal

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:1-6

What do you think of the little picture above? There were dozens of internet sites with paintings of the infamous kiss or the shamefully discarded money bag, but this one seemed special. Here is a man alone in near dark, turning away from the only source of light in the picture. What is the worst thing on earth that could happen to you? How about this: Easing yourself down a spiritual stairwell far enough to bid Satan to enter your heart. What a nightmare.

It seems like there are at least two ways to view Judas:

The first way is the easy way. We’ll call it the “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! route. Come on, he spent three years with the Son of God. We’re not exactly sure which teachings and miracles Judas was present for, but John said if they had all been written down the world would not be able to hold the books. How could Judas have not been affected by the Teacher he had lived and traveled with all that time? This tirade could go on…

Or, we could sadly realize that he was made of the same stuff we are. He was (yikes) one of us. No pointy teeth. No perpetual scowl and shifty eyes (Hollywood). When Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray him, they all looked among themselves, right at and through Judas, each asking the Lord if it was them. It seemed at the time like the betrayer could have been anyone, and they all seemed worried for themselves.

It seems that Judas just never trusted God with his heart. He must have figured he could manage as his own spiritual gatekeeper. He must not have known the strength of the Adversary. How very close a relative Judas is to me. But for God’s grace I could have played Judas’ part. That realization makes me want to hit the floor before the Throne of Grace just that much harder. Could it have been me Lord? Surely it could not have been me…

This is a very dark place, but it is also the opening move in Satan’s failed strategy. The Journey to Jerusalem is almost complete. Soon this stage will be flooded with inexpressible light and (to borrow Meghan’s analogy) music of triumph. And if you let your heart listen very carefully, you will detect a low, faint…drum roll.

Wayne Lindell

It's A Matter of the Heart

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments"
Matthew 22: 34-39

Remember the Pharisees? Their motives were not to learn truth, but rather to test Jesus. His answer confronts them with the most vital question of their lives…Will they choose love or not? It always encourages my heart to see Jesus, in his great compassion and mercy speak words of truth and opportunity even to those who are obviously trying to discredit him. He knows they are in error in their hearts and motives, yet he offers them vital, transforming words. Will they choose love or not??

What beautiful simplicity Jesus offers in a complex and confusing world. It really comes down to choosing to love. There is no way to over emphasize love! Jesus elevated love above all other commands.

God created us for relationships with Him and with others, relationships based on loving. So as we personally experience more and more of God’s love, we increase our capacity to love others as well.

So here is the question of the day. Will we choose love or not? What will that look like? Will relationship with and love for my Savior and Lord be my priority? Will I choose to spend focused time with Him? Will I set my heart to remember what this coming week commemorates? Will I respond to His love for me by being so filled, that it overflows to those around me?

Yes, Jesus! I choose love!

Sherry Haake

Admirers and Followers

Please read Matthew 21:12-17
Click here to read this passage online

A couple of days ago, Susanna and I and about eight thousand others attended the Rock & Worship Road Show at the Tacoma dome, one evening, six bands. It was a fun night of Christian music and celebration as we along with the multitude sang and danced our way through the evening as each musical group in procession, brought their own unique sound to the stage. The crowd was alive. The room was electric.

I caught myself at one point in the evening though looking around the arena at all the people worshiping, dancing and singing and wondering, “where do all these people go when the music stops, and the crowds disperse?” “How will these people go back to their jobs, and schools and homes and live for Jesus.” “How will they impact their world for Christ?”

On the heels of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, after all the loud shouts of “Hosanna in the highest”, after the crowds and processional, palm branches and cloaks; Jesus enters the temple courts, and causes quite a ruckus. But this is not the passive, restrained and docile Jesus we like to imagine. In this sequence, he’s no namby-pamby, weak-willed tutor. Rather, this scene captures in slow motion and vivid detail, a glimpse of God’s wrath, the greed and depravity of man, and the blessed mercy of the One who heals. As Jesus moves through the temple court, healing the blind, restoring the lame, children shout their praises to him. In the same moment, the chief priests and the teachers of the law become filled with indignation and conspire to silence him.

Jennie and I got an email today from a friend of ours who teaches at an east coast seminary. On this day, he was going to be preaching in a small church nearby his home. His sermon was on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and he included his sermon notes in the email. Upon reading them, I began to see more clearly the distinction between the Admirers and Followers of Christ. Why many, as consumers praise him, but few take up their cross daily and follow him in complete obedience and surrender. Admirer’s are critics, unattached and carefree. “Yet a time is coming and has now come,” Jesus states, “when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23 & 24.

Jesus isn’t looking for more Admirer’s, he’s looking for disciples. For those willing to lay it all on the line and follow him, wherever he may go, whatever the cost. He’s looking for those who will trust and obey, long after the music stops and the crowds disperse.

May this be our prayer today, and everyday:
“Jesus, clear the temple of my heart. Drive out all that is not pure. Overturn the tables of my self-sufficiency, topple the benches of my pride. Make my heart your house of prayer, that I may be one with your will and live wholly for you now and forever. Amen. “

Tom Kind