Can you imagine what it would have been like to be an early follower of Jesus during those three days after his death?
I imagine that day one must have been full of shock--"this Jesus we've been following and listening to is gone." The second day, I imagine that panic and doubt would have started to set in--"I thought He was supposed to be the Savior...Could the Savior truly have been killed?...What do we do now." All of those moments of amazement after viewing miracle after miracle slowly start fading as the thoughts of doubt start creeping in--"did those miracles really happen? Did Jesus really heal those people. Did Jesus really say...?" Day three, I imagine my thoughts start turning to what others may start thinking about me or saying to me--"didn't you follow that Jesus? Where is He now? Guess He wasn't all that He said He was." Oh how quickly we forget the truth and how easily we slip into believing the lies.
Today we remember and we celebrate that day three did not end like a normal day. It didn't end like days one or two. No, day three was the day that changed everything. Jesus did the impossible. Jesus fulfilled Scriptures that were written hundreds and hundreds of years before (such as Deuteronomy 18:18). On day three, Jesus, who was dead, rose from the grave fully alive! Jesus, who was present and active in the creation of the world, died a horrible death to be a ransom for the sins of the world. He died that horrible death and rose again for you.
Today whether you are celebrating with family or friends, struggling to celebrate because of a great or small sorrow of this life, or running far from God, hear these words:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus came that you may have rest, that you "may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
Join with me in prayer: Dear Jesus. Thank you. Thank you that you came into this broken and busted world for me. Thank you that you heard our cries for help and that you came to rescue us. Thank you for providing us with the Bible which provides us with the words of life. Thank you that this Bible tells us so vividly about your life, especially about your death and resurrection. Let us not forget this. Let us not take this lightly. Set eternity on our hearts always. Jesus, we also want to thank you that after your ascension into heaven to prepare a place for us that you did not leave us alone. Instead, you provided us with a gift. Thank you for the amazing gift of your Holy Spirit who guides and directs us, who lives in us. Lord Jesus, help us to cling to you, to your Spirit, and worship you triune God with all of our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind. We ask these things in the holy and precious name of Jesus. Amen.
You are worth more than mediocre. You are worth exceptional health!
Caitlyn J. Hanson
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