Today’s post brings a few of my thoughts on Easter week. This cross stood at the side of a small community church in a remote village in Honduras.
I’ve written and shared these on my social media accounts over the years. Comments on my posts vary. One day, a person stated they never asked Jesus to get on the cross for them and they didn’t see why they should care about Him.
Seldom do I get comments like this. But I have been thinking about the comment, and the person who made it. They are right. If I knew nothing at all about Jesus, this might be my comment. But if the person does know Jesus, has doubt, anger and rejection in their hearts, I would like them to know there is another way to do life where Jesus comes into lives bringing Light and Life with Him.
I write to share what I do know about Jesus. Prayerfully, I ask for God to use my life to help others realize there is something amazing about being in relationship with Jesus. Because I have learned how amazing Jesus is, I also know the story is not mine to keep.
Gratefully, God created each of us with free will so we get to choose. If we want to walk away – we choose. If we want to learn about who He is – we choose. Personally, I choose Him for me but can not choose for anyone else.
This beautiful scripture from John 14:27 has been a comfort to me over the years as I sought to learn more about Him. I pray for each reader in this community to find their way through this maze we call life. May we all walk together, resurrected in His love reflecting His presence in our lives.
Happy Easter!
Cross in Honduras
On this day, over two centuries ago, a cross was being prepared for a man about to be sentenced to death. A crowd was given a choice – kill a man who was a known criminal or kill a man who claimed to be the son of God. One had hurt many people. One had healed many. I often wonder what choice I would have made that day. You know, way back then. But, then, I think, everyday I make a choice. Who do I defend day by day? What do my actions show the world? How do my words reveal whom my heart serves? Do people know the choice I’ve made? Am I bold to defend in love? Am I confident in my faith in God? Am I convicted of my choice, knowing without a doubt where I will spend eternity? The now empty cross answers all these questions for me. Jesus willingly went. I recently heard the cross referred to as “the hinge of history”. Because He allowed Himself to be placed on that cross, all are now welcome to share in the new life Jesus offers. I pray for every heart who hears His message to know His desire is to call you His child. There is no human love capable of loving like He does. May these next days, when many focus on Jesus’ willing sacrifice, bring new light to each of us, new hope and tenderly remind us of His love. To God be the glory forever and ever.
Jesus tells us – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
John 15:9 NIV
Cross Carving in Museum
To think that this was hand carved by artisans in 1430-1490. Jesus on the cross is represented in so many ways. Countless. As many ways as any person has ever tried to recreate the scene.
This hangs in the Philadelphia Art Museum. Many paintings and carvings are on display there in this exhibit.
I wonder – if each of us sat down, gifted with the ability to depict Jesus on the cross in whatever medium we excelled in – what would mine look like?
What would I intentionally draw my observer’s eyes to?
This artist has a lot to show us and I love their attention to the smallest of details.
Take some time and look closely.
Here’s my thing though. I have no ability to create a scene or a sculpture or a movie depicting how I see Jesus.
What I can do is study His word. Believe and trust in His word. I can choose to live as His adopted daughter. I can choose to reflect the love He has showered on me – into the world around me. I can choose to extend the forgiveness He showed me – into the hurting world around me. I choose to share His message of forgiveness and hope and love in my everyday life.
My love and adoration for Him might not be immortalized in wood or paint but I pray by passing it on that others will realize they too can pass it into their world. The ripple effect with be limitless.
And we, too, will change the world because of this Jesus who went to the cross so we could live forgiven eternally.
For eternity.
Don’t miss that my friends.
He is your Jesus too.
Amen!
Cross in Eze
This cross stands on top of a steeple in the small town of Éze in the south of France.
Of all the experiences I’ve lived through, of all the agony of fear, shame, loss and grief – when I read these words below, I remember asking God to bring me up, build me strong again and it was in His word I found a new relationship with Him. One where I can pour my fear, shame, loss and grief out to Him because I know He understands. The cross shows me. He did that for you. He did that for me. He loves us. I pray these scriptures as a prayer for you and for me. This season of Easter heightens the world’s awareness of His selfless and loving act. Let’s live our lives honoring Him for the depth of His love for us.
Psalm 119:25-32 The Message
I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.
Cross on Roof
Amos 8:9 (ESV)
“And on that day,” declares the Lord God,
“I will make the sun go down at noon
and darken the earth in broad daylight.”
One thing I know for certain, God “declares” and that thing will happen.
“That” day came and God kept His word. In the middle of the day – all light was gone. I can’t imagine the void Jesus’ followers felt. I know how I felt when my mom died ten years after my dad and I realized I was an “orphan” walking this earth. Such a deep loss of connection and feeling. Nothing seemed real.
How did the followers feel when everything Jesus had told them was going to happen, came true? Shock set in I’m certain. Before they were able to regain their footing in a world without Jesus, Saturday passed in a state of grief.
They likely hadn’t had time to remember His promises to return to them or process how that was going to happen.
Then Sunday morning came. The Light appeared to them first on a road then in a room. As the fog began to lift what did they feel? In the presence of a risen Jesus, once again the world shifted.
Fear became hope. Loss was restored. Jesus was back. Just like He said He would be. But He was different. He spoke of leaving again. But this time He would send another who not dwell in the flesh but within each of us in the flesh, as the Holy Spirit.
All things happened according to God’s plan. To save us. Sinners to be forgiven and freed by the greatest sacrifice of all. Because He loves us. Tell me again why it’s so hard for us to pass that love into the world around us? I can’t think of any reason. Or excuse. To Him be the glory. Forever. Amen.