Keep the Faith
Read: John 20
That dark Sunday morning, the women struggled toward the tomb with the spices and ointment they bore only a part of what weighed them down. They bore the grief and pain of having seen their Teacher and Master crucified like a common criminal, then buried in a borrowed tomb. At least they could keep faith with Him by completing the preparations for His burial for which there simply hadn't been time as the Sabbath bore down on them.
Of course, their spices weren't needed - remember, He had already been anointed at Bethany (and at His birth when the Magi brought myrrh!) The women were being faithful in small things - they hadn't abandoned their teacher, even in death. Still, they were missing the big step of faith; He had told them that the Son of Man had to die and rise again on the third day, what were they thinking? Nonetheless, "to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance" (Matthew 25:29), and they received the reward of their faithfulness in greater measure than anyone could ever have hoped or imagined. He was alive! He had risen, a conqueror after all, but not simply over the power of Rome, but as the conqueror of Sin and Death!
Now it is our turn to keep the faith, and to contend for the Faith. Where do we start? How about with the little things? "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory...." (Luke 9:25 26)
I'd like to close this year's Devotions Book with this verse from the Gospel of John
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31)
So go forth Alive, and rejoicing as you reach out to your community and beyond, living the Good News of Jesus Christ! Amen!
Charlie van Becelaere
1 comment:
I look forward to your church's Lenten Devotions each year, and hope you'll be be doing them again in 2009.
Thank you for making Lent a special season each year.
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