John chapters 20 and 21
When we think of Jesus' resurrection, sacrifice seldom comes to mind. After all, death was defeated. His ordeal was behind him. The grief of those who loved him was replaced by joy. Surely at that moment when Jesus was reunited with those he was closest to, they had no thought of sacrifice.
Yet even that unique sacrifice which saved us all did not put an end to sacrifice. At the very moment those closest to him were awed and overjoyed by his return, Jesus knew He must leave soon for heaven. The very people he shared his time on earth with, who had just seen him restored to them, were going to have to give him up all over again. Their rejoicing would be cut short by a painful farewell.
They must have longed for him to remain. But to fulfill his plan, it was necessary for him to go. For their own sake, and that of everyone dying to hear the news of what he'd done, it had to be this way. Before he left, he even warned Peter, one of those closest to him, of the sacrifice he'd be called on to make in the future.
In order to change, to become what they were meant to be, those closest to Jesus had to learn to offer everything up to God willingly, as he did. They had to submit to the Father's will, as he had, so they might grow to be more like him. Just as Jesus' ultimate sacrifice was required to overcome death, so theirs would be necessary to transform their own natures. - Ray Beere Johnson II
Dear Lord, work in our hearts so that we, like Jesus and his disciples, can make the sacrifices necessary to transform us. Help us to live in the promise of new life that Jesus' sacrifice - his death on the cross and his resurrection--have made possible for us. Amen
Benjamin was very happy to be back playing again later this afternoon... He said, "This is so much fun, I actually forgot how much I like this!"
ReplyDeleteOn the aside, thanks for everyone's words of encouragement today and during this Lent experience. It is just one more thing that makes NEC so very special.