a Love Story – a New Day Dawns – February 23

a LOVE STORY
February 23, 2021

a New Day Dawns

Luke 24:11-16, ‘But Mary stood outside the tomb, weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put Him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize Him. Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?” She, thinking that He was the gardener, said, ‘Mister, if you took Him, tell me where you put Him so I can care for Him.” And Jesus said, “Mary.”’ (MSG)

The Lord God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day. He was not in search of anyone; this time, mankind was in search of God. The scene gripped Him; the Creator had known what these emotions felt like, looking for someone you shouldn’t have to search for. And it saddened Him while He also felt overjoyed; He felt the pain this woman was experiencing but He knew something she did not know! Spoiler Alert: Day Three had arrived! the sunrise poured itself out like fresh squeezed orange juice and a new song had come to the lips of mankind because the tomb was empty! However, this woman’s grief and loss was palatable; she felt betrayal of all kinds. This wasn’t supposed to happen in the first place, and now that it had, the result was messy and smelly and incoherent because she had watched the Christ breathe His last breath and the Promise of eternity had died.

Jehovah Jireh (Provider) stands just outside of existence at the edge of the empty tomb. As a Provider, He knows the next headline; as a Father, he just wants one glimpse of His Son. The moment time had interrupted and life stood in the balance had lasted what felt an eternity, and the Father would never forget. He and the Son had never been separated; had not even known what that meant to their tri-union, but they had now been schooled, and He felt He failed miserably when He turned His back on, and walked away, from the depth of darkness that had encompassed His Son.

The Father’s heart went out to this woman. She was searching for Jesus, but suddenly she panicked, facing the realization, someone had stolen her Savior. She had poured everything into Him, even all over Him, had believed His every word. And now He was gone. The Lord God considered this, as He had done the same thing, only to come up empty, and that is why He had to wager His son versus their eternity.

Once again, the Promise walked amongst them but this creation could not see with their human eyes. They lacked spiritual vision and clarity so they couldn’t see what was right in front of them. They repeated the prophesies, and they quoted the Scriptures and they remarked, “Wasn’t He the One?! Maybe He wasn’t because He has died.” He set His footprints in their presence, but they rejected seeing that it was He. They rubbed shoulders and shared stories and walked miles with Him but it was only when He broke bread that they saw His wounds and suddenly they recognized Him.

The Father again felt the betrayal and the sadness, and He spoke to the Helper, “It’s time for this love; they need You to open their spiritual eyes and lay their souls bare. It is time to plant the Harvest.” So the Promise stepped aside and held the door so the Helper could walk through.

During the month of February,
come with me as we JOURNEY through
the greatest LOVE STORY ever written.