Firmly Rooted in His Love: An Easter Blog

I was at a prayer meeting recently. There was some discussion about Jesus and how brutally he was handled and the agony he experienced leading up to His death on the cross. Every time I think about how callous man can be I am so saddened!

The reminder of Jesus’ cry  “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) tears at my heart every time I read through the passages of Jesus’  final moments! However, it is important to note that Jesus was not questioning God, he was speaking the first line of Psalm 22 cried out by David as he was going through his own trials. This expression of the anguish Jesus was feeling as he took on the sins of the world, caused him to experience temporary separation from his Father! This was what Jesus had dreaded as he had prayed to God in the garden to take the cup from him, Matthew 26:39. The physical agony was horrible, but this was even worse. Jesus endured this terrible suffering and death so that we would never have to experience eternal separation from God!

During the sharing portion of our prayer meeting, one of the group imparted an experience he had not too long ago. He had gone down to the river to sit and enjoy God’s creation. Eventually he started walking along the river bank. The winter was harsh to the land and the river banks were strewn with deadfall; twigs, wash outs – it was barren. He stepped over a huge root from a cedar tree that was jutting out of the bank – the thought that came to mind was, we need to be firmly rooted and established in love (Eph 3:17). Walking further he came across a piece of mesh that is normally used to shore up stones to reinforce river banks – reminded me of our need for a solid foundation with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20). Coming around a corner, in the middle of the rocks, branches and twigs on the beach was a beautiful yellow flower growing in such an unexpected place! This took away my heartache and turned my mind to when Jesus will come again! He will come just as unexpectedly as that flower appearing in the most obscure of places.

As we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus this weekend, may the Holy Spirit empower you to understand all that Jesus has done for you. May we also look forward to when he will come again.

Until then keep in mind what Jude had to say in verse 24 – 25:

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, Who alone is wise, be the glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and forever. Amen”