Luke 19 reminds us that as Jesus approached Jerusalem the week before he died, he wept. “If you, even you, had known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes . . . (terrible things are coming) . . . because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19:41-44
Jesus wept 2,000 years ago because those he loved did not recognize him nor the peace he had to offer.
Jesus will weep again this week.
His tears will be real, falling from a broken heart, as he sees our failure to recognize who he is and our failure to trade our inner turmoil for the peace he alone can offer.
What will we do with these failures this week?
Where will I hang my failure, my inability to see Who he is and all that he has for me?
Where will I hang all my failures? My stubborn ways? My angry outbursts? My distractions and destructive habits?
Where will you hang yours?
Imagine a hand-painted board with a necklace made of rope.
“Failure” it declares.
Where will you hang this sign?
- Around your own neck?
- Around the neck of someone you blame for your poor choices and destructive attitudes?
- Or will you hang it on the blood stained cross?
When we hang our failure around our own neck, we find ourselves living with despair.
When we hang it on another person, we find ourselves distant, hardened and resentful.
When we dare to visit the Gethsemane and hang our failures on the cross where Jesus died, we find ourselves at the tomb on Easter Morning wrapped in the love of Jesus.
What plans do you have for this week?
May it include two things.
May you anchor your heart to the only One offering the PEACE that brings new life.
May you make your way to the cross for the new sign Jesus bought for you with his blood. “FORGIVEN” – “Made NEW” – “Whole and Alive!”
May this be your best Easter yet!
For many years Good Friday was impossible to take. My Lord, my Savior, my Friend, was cruelly murdered. The sound of the nail hammered into the wooden cross brought wails of agony from me. The week before Easter, the week of Easter, any time I could go to the church alone and pray, I agonized over the question “why”? God could have found a better way….another way. Over many tears and much agony and a long period of time, the Lord answered my question. It has to do with obedience. Good Friday is still unbearable for me, but I understand, and I rejoice that the process didn’t end on Friday, but really only began.
Oh Betty —
Oh you are so right! “This process didn’t end on Friday, but really only began.”
Amen. Amen!!
Dear Jesus, make this a year of resurrection power!
bjhandrick wrote: > the process didn’t end on Friday, but really only began.
“For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,” Says the LORD, your Redeemer. “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:5-10 (New King James Version)
Blessings,
Tami —
This Promise of God. His Mercy. His Kindness. His Covenant of Peace.
It changes us.
From the inside out.
May this Easter be a celebration of All Who He Is!
Blessings!
Run Hard. Rest Well. wrote:
Amen. Thank you Brenda!