From Jeers to Joy!

Last week I wrote of the cheering crowd as Jesus road into Jerusalem. But, it wasn’t long before the cheers turned to jeers. After several days in the city, Jesus was arrested and accused of blasphemy (defined as speech, thought or action that slanders, disrespects, or shows contempt for God).

The Jewish penalty for blasphemy was severe. When Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin, the high priest asked those present at the court:

What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said,”Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. Mark 14:64-65

What a contrast! Loved and praised at the first of the week and sentenced to death by the end. We’ve all been the recipient of rejection and cruelty, but never to the extent that Jesus experienced. He knew his destiny from the beginning. But, just because He knew what was going to happen, doesn’t mean He didn’t suffer.

In his earthly body, a human body that can be emotionally hurt and physically abused, Jesus felt the pain of hate and rejection. He suffered through horrific beatings and experienced an excruciating death on the cross.

But, as we know, that is not the end of the the story.

When the women went to prepare the body of Jesus for burial, they found the stone rolled away from His tomb. Instead of Jesus, they found two men in clothes that shone like lightening. The women were terrified, but the men said to them:

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” Luke 24:5b-7

Joy!

The women experienced great joy! As did the disciples–their Lord is risen from the dead!

On this Easter, we have reason to be joyful, don’t we!

JOY! That God so loved us that He sent His Son as the greatest gift of love–that through His willing sacrifice, Jesus gave atonement for our sins. By choosing to accept Jesus as our Savior, we are given an eternity with our Lord.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

JOY! That we, as God’s children, boldly go forth and tell others of God’s great love for them, sharing the good news of Jesus our Lord. For Jesus said:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

JOY! That we’ve been granted infinite blessings–among which are love, health, happiness, family, friends, the beauty of nature and more, MORE, MORE!

 

I pray that we will always remember the gift of love that God bestowed upon us long ago in Jerusalem. And, that we continue to honor that amazing sacrifice by loving one another and being faithful disciples.

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35