There was Grief. There was Fear. There was Doubt.
There had to be
because
HE said HE was the SAVIOR~
And they BELIEVED HIM.
BUT then there was the
CROSS
and then there was the
DEATH
and then there was the
BURIAL
And then there was
Grief & Fear & Doubt
because
didn't HE say~
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in ME will live,
even though they die" (John 11:25).
And where was HE now. And where is HE now
in the midst of
Grief & Fear & Doubt.
The Cross is empty.
BUT the Tomb is empty
Because JESUS said it would be~
"but three days later HE will rise from the dead” (Mark 9:31).
BUT where is JESUS now?
"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for JESUS, who was crucified. HE is not here; HE has risen, just as HE said..."(Matthew 28:5-6).
Tears fill my eyes as I read the words
"just as HE SAID".
Oh HIS WORD is HIS WORD.
And oh how HIS WORD has never changed
even in the midst of EASTER 2020
when so much has changed~
but has it really
as death is touching our land
as loved ones are too far to touch
as waiting for a miracle is our prayer.
BUT then the words
"Do not be afraid" come rolling off the tongue of the angel
to the two Mary's who came to the tomb;
the same words that greeted Mary
to tell her she would birth the RISEN LORD.
The same words THE RISEN LORD speaks to us
especially in the midst of
Grief & Fear & Doubt~
“Unless I see the nail marks in HIS hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into HIS side,I will not believe” (John 20:25)
BUT JESUS HAS RISEN~
"Though the doors were locked, JESUS came and stood among them and said,
“Peace be with you!” Then HE said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see MY hands.
Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
STOP DOUBTING & BELIEVE” (John 20:26-27).
Oh just because things have changed JESUS hasn't.
HE HAS RISEN once & for all
even though we can't touch the nail holes in HIS hands & feet
& even though we may be in a season of grief & fear & doubt.
BUT even in the DOUBTFUL moments that may overtake you
because of Grief & Fear
JESUS HEARS & JESUS LISTENS
as HE did to Doubting Thomas
because JESUS ANSWERED as HE always answers our cries
meeting us right where we are.
And then HE RISES in our heart as we shout like Thomas did~
"Thomas said to HIM, “My LORD and MY GOD!” (John 20:28).
And then our sweet JESUS, who wore our nails, gently speaks~
"Then JESUS told him, “Because you have seen ME, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20: 29).
Oh may THE RISEN JESUS meet you right where you are in this moment of time
because HE is here~
for the tomb is empty
just as HE said it would be.
"STOP DOUBTING & BELIEVE”~
Oh "IS HE WORTHY" (listen to the song below)
oh yes my friends
HE IS!