Between the Cross and Resurrection

The day after the crucifixion, being a follower of Jesus had to be brutal.  The world wasn't as small as it is today. You could run and go fishing. No one would recognize the silhouettes on the lake.

The disciples also were held up in an upper room with the doors locked, listening for footsteps up the staircase.  Did they hide in embarrassment or was it fear? Their witness would have to be silenced. Perhaps they were next in silencing/ killing the Jesus revolution.

Questions and debates were whispered, maybe an angry shout from one.  The hopeless notion that the attempt of a war or coupe would ever happen again, had been nailed to a cross and lying in a tomb.

There had been the high of the rally, the shouts of Hosanna. The healing of the sick and His teaching...His teaching may have got Him in trouble with the people with all the love one another, even love your enemies.

He had come to save the world.  What was it all about?  Couldn't the Christ deliver Himself from the pharisees?   The Pharisees and religious leaders were busy having guards and stories in place.  They spoke lies, but that is what seems to prevail on this day.

You can imagine, the disciples looking out the upstair window, seeing small groups talking, some in anger, some in sadness.

What Kingdom was He talking about?  Jesus had been so sure, so powerful, so loving.   They agreed with the cry of Jesus;   "It is Finished."

It was a long day.  Meeting Jesus had seemed like only yesterday.  Yesterday though, seemed to be an eternity away.  They sat around the table, attempting to piece together His actions, Words and teaching.

Maybe you have been there, or there now. In between Friday and Sunday and the only sound you hear...crickets and the beating of your heart.  Sadness, fear and hopelessness is the future you see.

Fear not! As He enters into the room of your heart and mind saying; "Peace to you."  Meet Him there.
He is Alive. He is Alive!
Receive that peace. Allow your sadness, hopelessness and fear to be resurrected to joy, courage and peace!

Receive peace with God, followed by the peace of God, through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. Receiving a new heart and new hope!

I pray you and I, from this day forward, will be like the apostles on Sunday. Saturday they hid by Sunday, many believed (John 3:16).  Following the feast of Pentecost, you could not threaten nor kill them. Allow it to be the same today, during this Jesus revolution of the 21st century.  Let it spread from the church house to your house. Be witnesses, making disciples, teaching those what ever Jesus has taught us!

Read John followed by the Book of Acts. Moving throughout Ephesians and beyond.

                                                                                                                                       -Tim

He's risen indeed!

          For many reasons, it may have resembled a political convention.

The cheers may have been in unison and deafening. The angry embarrassed Pharisees told Jesus to silence the crowd.  They had said themselves: "The world has gone after Him."
  A while after raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus makes His triumphant ride into Jerusalem. Thousands plus are on the road to meet, and cheer on Jesus. "He's the Messiah."  "Hosanna! Hosanna!" 

That was on Sunday.  Days later they were shouting; "Crucify Him!" Temple leaders and Pharisees had won.   Didn't they?

Jesus said: "It is finished!"  The disciples said:  "it is over."

Not so fast... Jesus had said; "For this reason I have come." and "My Kingdom is not of this world."  This was right on schedule.

"What do you mean?"

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Gal.4:4,5.

They were (and many still are) looking for him in a tomb. But He is risen, just like He said!

No, the Pharisees didn't win, nor was it over. Little did they know, it was only the beginning!

He is risen indeed!