The disciples hadn't put the pieces together that Jesus would rise again, so his death brought sadness and fear to their hearts. They were hiding behind locked doors trying to make sense of how they could proceed. They had given their lives to Jesus and his message, and now he was gone.
Read John 20.
It's hard to grasp just how amazed the disciples would have been at the sight of someone who had been raised from the dead. Somehow, with the Christianization of our culture, we are almost USED to the story of someone rising from the dead. We must instead stop and be amazed! They had just seen this man, bloodied, beaten, and punctured, hanging lifeless on a cross and now here he was again, walking through walls. How?! Why?!
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live." (11:25)
Jesus said these words right before he raised Lazarus from the dead. His own resurrection serves as a final proof that Death is dead. Jesus could not be defeated by the greatest enemy of life itself. And if He defeated Death, what is it that Jesus cannot defeat?
"These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." (20:31)
John's purpose in writing his gospel was to foster belief and life in his audience. May we heed the instruction of John's running mate, Peter, as he reflects on Christ in 1 Peter 1:8.
"You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy."
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
I cannot wait to see you face to face.
I cannot wait to spend eternity in your dwelling place.
I cannot wait to rest in the body you will give me.
I thank you that I have nothing to fear in this life, or in death.
You are stronger.
Take my momentary fears and failures,
Let me see them as powerless and impotent.
I believe.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Join fellow Christ-followers in prayer and fasting during Lent (February 13 through March 31, 2013). Use the "prayer starters" each day and feel free to click "comments" to see how others are doing and share your own journey.
Subscribe via:
Posts
What is "Lent?"
"Lent" has been celebrated by Christians for many generations. It is a time set aside for preparing our hearts to celebrate the greatest event in history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditionally Lent is the forty-day period preceding Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. Interestingly, this is actually 46 days because the western church doesn't count Sundays (as we are to celebrate the resurrection every Sunday).
How should I keep Lent?
We are asking the church family to spend time in prayer each day of Lent, thanking Christ for what He has done. In addition, many Christians practice some form of fasting during Lent.
What is "fasting?"
Fasting is a way to say "no" to self and to give renewed attention on Christ. If we simply do without food, we're only half-way there. We need to replace the time that we would have spent eating and instead spend that time in prayer.
Here are some ideas, but don't be limited to these:
Take 15 minutes out of each day reading the devotional on this blog and getting on your knees to pray to God.
Agree together in your Connection Group how you are going to celebrate Lent. Encourage each other to take a step of faith and talk each week about how it is going.
Take one meal a week and decide to deny yourself, spending the time, instead, reading the Word and praying. Maybe your Connection Group could divide up the lunches through the week - each taking a day. Or maybe you could each pick one day per week that you will all do it.
Fast from a specific food for the whole Lent season. Make it something that will trigger you to pray each time you reach for it. Don't "fast" from food to lose weight or from caffeine for your health. Those may be good ideas, but that is something you're doing for you, not with Christ in mind.
Fast from sunrise until sunset.
Fast from TV or something else that you'll give up and replace with seeking God.
Now get creative and talk with the other Christ-followers in your life for help, encouragement, and accountability ... and to share your joy!
Should I consider an extended fast?
For some, the season of Lent can be a time to surrender even more to God through an extended fast. This can be a 3, 7, 14, or 40 day experience (it is up to you and your readiness). If this is something that God is calling you toward, check out this site to learn more:
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
There are all types of extended fasts that you can get involved in. Make sure you choose the right one for you, considering your health, schedule, and support system.
Mary went to the tomb early on that first day. I wonder if each step was heavy and labored, or if somehow there was hope in all of her confusion and emotion. Surely, when she saw the stone removed she was compelled to RUN and find out why.
ReplyDeleteThe angels surrounding the sweetest of reunions. So otherworldly and complex the Lord affirms His victory. He speaks her name and she can live again. The tears of pain turn to tears of joy. And she will not let go of her Lord!
your play on words in referring to Peter as John's "running mate" was well worth the price of admission this morning. puns of fun! :)
ReplyDeleteLazarus died from an illness. He likely was sick and then just closed his eyes one day, like he had a thousand times, but this time they did not open again.
There was no mistake that he was dead. But he was peacefully dead as it were. An open casket wake for sure.
Jesus was tortured, beaten and you rightly put it "punctured."
It is not to say that Lazarus resurrection would have been less amazing in essense, but in presentation it is dwarfed by the man bruttally murdered now walking around and eating fish like He's celebrating Lent.
To see that man alive would have been a cause of terror and wonder.