I was up early this morning. It was early for a
Saturday when I could have been sleeping and believe me, I didn't intend to get
up that early. Lol! But the Holy Spirit has a way of nudging me out of the bed
when there is something I need to see in scripture or prayers that need to be
lifted. This morning it was by way of my dog that needed to go out. Usually he
doesn't budge until I do but today....not-so-much.
This morning I sat there in my kitchen in complete
silence. It was dark from rain that came through our area and I had just the
kitchen light on because I didn't want to wake the rest of the family. My loyal
dog, Louie, of course was at my feet when he came back in because he follows me
from room to room. I sat at the kitchen table that is usually occupied by our
sweet family during mealtimes. It's usually covered with food as lots of talk
and laughter are going on. Sometimes it's covered with schoolbooks as the kids
will spread out to work on academics. But this morning it was empty other than
my opened Bible and my cup of coffee, oh and Caleb's "Duck Dynasty"
cup half-full of water he apparently left from last night. Ha!
This morning it was quiet and I just soaked in His
Word! I sat in the silence to just be still before HIM...my Father! I'm
thankful the Holy Spirit disturbed my sleep this morning because reading
through the gospels after they rolled the stone in front of the tomb had my
mind thinking of the next day. How were they coping on that Sabbath? They just
buried their King. Guards secured the location and nothing could be done until
the Sabbath was over. Mary Magdalene couldn't even buy her spices to prepare
her King's body until Sabbath was over. So what was going on in their hearts
and minds that day?
Well, I can only imagine because scripture is silent
here. Were they still in shock from the prior events that unfolded? They just
saw Jesus stand trial unjustly and be horribly crucified before their eyes.
They saw his lifeless body placed in a tomb. Their grief and sadness were
probably overwhelming and I'm sure there was fear and uncertainty. Were they
overcome with emotion because it was their sin that put him there? Did they
realize the depth of love that was crucified for them?
I sit and ponder....
Jesus had told them what would happen! Jesus had been
preparing them, before His death, of what would be to come. Grief and sadness,
questions and pain could not last long because Sunday was coming! Hope would
arise and death would be defeated! Jesus would come forth...JUST AS HE
PROMISED! Hallelujah!!
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of
Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will
condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him,
and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise
again.”
Mark 10:33-34 (NKJV)
Today, as we prepare to celebrate the events that DID
take place on that glorious resurrection day, my heart is filled with so much
gratitude to my Savior. He did ALL of that for ME! He did it ALL for YOU! He
conquered death and the grave and paid the ultimate sacrifice for MY sin...for
YOUR sin. He marked it PAID IN FULL!
"Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures
said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as
the Scriptures said."
1 Corinthians 15:3b-4 (NLT)
Read the story today! Read it for yourselves! Read the
gospels account in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! The greatest love story of
all time is recorded right there in those beautiful pages of scripture. The
greatest sacrifice that could ever be made but also the greatest outcome that
no Hollywood movie could ever grasp on the big screen. It's the love story of a
Savior to YOU! Prepare today!
Read it...grasp it...accept it...celebrate it...and go
forth in the will of the Father!
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "
John 14:6 (NIV)
