When I have a bad day and feel sorry for myself, I try to think of the hours Christ spent before Easter morning and His crucifixion. That morning He brought me freedom, forgiveness of sins, and death’s victory. Then I fall on my knees and thank Him for what He did for me and for loving me so deeply.
Jesus hung on a tree in agony for me. He was bruised, spit on, and humiliated that I might live a life free of rituals. He was bruised, spit on, and humiliated that I would be guided by His spirit, and when I listen, I can hear it. He hung between two thieves, one accepted Him, the other rejected Him, so I would be prepared to make the correct choice. The choice He desires me to make is to accept Him as the one thief accepted Him.
When I realize how much He really loved me that He knew the number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30, “the very hairs of your head are numbered“) before I was born; even before the foundation of the world; I am in awe of this picture of life He bestowed upon me. Before the foundation of the world, Easter morning was planned by His Father for me. When I take time to dwell on those Holy words, I thank Him for His pain and torture. He opened not His mouth to complain, just stood there like a sheep for slaughter. My Shepherd remained silent for me.
Oh! If I could only keep my mouth closed as well. I’m always wanting the last word, but Jesus knew the tomb would roll away on the third day and that was His last word. To be like Him, is His desire for me, and I know it is a lifelong journey. When I made the choice to follow Him, He smiled. He helps me walk this journey each step every day.
The hours leading up to His time on the cross must have been unbearable. In Matthew 26:39, He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.“ I know He could have stopped this heinous event but He choose the route the Father planned for Him. When I think of this kind of love, life can never be the same. Easter morning and the resurrection keep me from being a wandering sheep. I have a Shepherd that provided eternity and a fresh start because He hung on a cross for me.
Matthew 26 to 28l; NASB Matthew 10:30; NASB Ephesians 1; NASB Isaiah 53:4-9; NASB
© June 2005 Carol Dee Meeks
Thanks again for viewing my work. God Bless
Carol Dee Meeks c_pmeeks@hotmail.com http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html