LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Peter 2:23-24, … who when He was reviled did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by those stripes you were healed.

 

Friday came. Jesus hung on a cross. He endured what each of us deserved. After hours on the cross, He declared what He came to do was finished. That was Friday.

 

But Sunday happened. The promise Jesus had made to rise again came true. The tomb He had been placed in was empty; only the burial clothes He had been wrapped in were there. In his message, Dr. Ed Newton said, “The empty tomb was filled with great promises as the resurrection fulfilled all prophesy.” Read the words of Scripture used in the sermon notes. “And if Christ had not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins … we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17,19b). Yes, the tomb could not hold the Lord; His resurrection gives all who believe in Him hope of our own resurrection to come.

 

All was done to fulfil prophesy. All was done in obedience to the Father. All was done by His choice. All was done because of God’s love for you, me, each of us. What is the response to such love, to the One taking our place on a cross? I have observed different reactions to this love over the years. Quite honestly, I do not understand how anyone can know what Jesus, the Lamb of God, did and not bow down in worship and thanksgiving; to cry out for forgiveness. Yet, too often the reaction is to go forward in the same lifestyle as always, as if a nice story was heard -- but you know I have things to do. Maybe later ….  

 

The words “it is finished” have had a greater meaning to me this year for some reason; I cannot seem to get them out of my thoughts. The knowledge that the tomb was found empty adds to my thoughts about my, our, salvation, my, our, place in heaven is secure. None of it is due to me, to you. None of it was because of anything we have done. I cannot stop thinking about the response to what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Those who place their faith, trust and hope in His death on a cross and His resurrection must walk a narrow way to eternal life in His eternal kingdom. The narrow way is a journey of growing in Christ-centered maturity where one grows in their knowledge and understanding of God. The narrow way is a journey of trusting the guidance of the Holy Spirit, going where He leads and staying away from those things He leads us away from. Walking the narrow way is a journey where we give up our own will to do the will of God; that may cause some suffering.

 

Jesus said the narrow way is a difficult way. But the narrow way is also a way of great freedom because we do not have to commit the sin we were once bound to. Jesus died for every sin we have committed or will commit. Knowing and understanding that gives us both the freedom and power over sin when we are tempted.

 I am so thankful for Good Friday and the empty tomb!