NOT GUILTY!
the Saving GRACE of God’s Redeeming LOVE
April 10th, 2023
a Three-Day Promise
Mark 16:11, ‘When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she (Mary Magdalene) had seen Him, they did not believe it.’ (NIV)
They killed Him. THEY KILLED HIM! They actually killed Him. The truth rang out on Golgotha. It blew in the wind, covered with a dusty layer of dirt; the realization tasting gritty in the mouths of those who stood and watched. Some hid, hanging back in corners. But, His best friends—most of them—disappeared; their heads hung low, and eyes closed to what was happening around them. They hadn’t expected this. He was to be the Son of God, the Savior of the world, come to rescue everyone from themselves and to right all the wrongs, continuing to set the captives free. No one saw this coming.
So how was it that we find someone so clueless walking along a dusty road to an unknown place? Every where one traveled the day after the world went dark, the news was on the tongues of those ambling on, still in shock. People cradled their heads, shaking in disbelief, afraid to say a word because the truth was even more permanent and poetic then. But along comes a guy who hasn’t a notion why everyone is so grief stricken. Is He really that dense to not have listened to the talk of the town, the grave mourning coming down the hillside and amongst the dwellers in the town’s square?
He joined a small clan of two persons who were walking along, discussing all they had witnessed. They were a little taken back; this man hadn’t known all which had transpired in the previous days. They filled Him in, and yet it seemed as if it was He educating them as He knew a great deal of history. Maybe He was a prophet? they considered, but soon, it didn’t matter; the conversation became so intense, so mysterious, very refreshing. Their grief turned, a passion beginning to take seed in place of the root of bitterness and lost-ness they had been experiencing. And all too soon, the journey came to a close as they neared their home. They didn’t want their time with this interesting fellow to draw to a close, as they pleaded with Him to come in and be refreshed and stay over before continuing on His way.
And it was then, as they gathered at the table, their new friend giving thanks for their sustenance, that He broke the bread. At once they could see. It was like blinders fell from their eyes; they saw it all. The fresh wounds in His hands, the compassion on His face, the forgiveness and the letting go of all the doubt and unbelief. And suddenly He vanished. In the twinkling of an eye, He was gone. But they were forever changed.
If you just had given your life for someone—no, if you had just given something valuable (because who gives a life?) for someone—what would be the first thing you might find yourself doing? I know, for me, if I have just done something for another, I’m possibly reenacting it so I can feel even better about my sacrifice and myself, so others know what I gave. Perhaps I am napping because my goodness wore me out. I’m likely speaking about it, rehearsing it, so I don’t forget how good it made me feel to be selfless for a moment. I surely am not finding myself, once I have gotten up from the grave, on a hot, dirty road, blessing and forgiving and inspiring wholeness.
That’s why He is Jesus. The risen Lord.
God’s Loving Kindness Leads Me to Repentance
