“Peace is Shalom — well-being of mind, heart, and body, individually and communally. It can exist in the midst of a war-torn world, even in the midst of unresolved problems and increasing human conflicts. Jesus made that peace by giving his life for his brothers and sisters. This is no easy peace, but it is everlasting and it comes from God.”
Henri Nouwen
Christ is Risen by Matt Maher
This past week I have been thinking a lot about Jesus rising from the dead, and the way the different Gospel writers recount this miraculous event. I especially love the way Luke writes in this passage. He starts out by telling how two women go to the tomb with spices for what they would would be the body of Jesus. When they showed up, the stone blocking his tomb was roled away, and there were two men standing there who gleamed like lightening. These two guys (angels perhaps) asked the women, “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.” Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-12).
In reading the resurrection account in the 4 Gospels, I am struck by how long it takes each person to realize they are speaking with Jesus, or to remember the words of Jesus, or to realize the truth about Jesus. And as much as I kind of like to make fun of the Bible characters because Jesus repeats himself SO many times, and they still don’t get it….I am stopped. Because I think of myself, and think of how many times Jesus is telling me the same thing over and over and over again…and how at times I still don’t get it. Easter Sunday is an incredible day of celebration, and an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to enter into the church. And I think of how each year we hear the exact same story, the same words, the same incredible truth, HE IS RISEN!
Jessica told me about how, in the Eastern Orthodox church, they sing a hymn on repeat–through communion, through litany, as they march around the church three times in the middle of the night (symbolizing the three days that Jesus was in the tomb.) It’s one simple, meaningful, theologically correct line:
I pray that this year, this Easter, these words and truths would become SO true to you and your life, and that the actions of Jesus Christ 2000ish years ago today, would transform your life. I pray that He would become your Lord and Savior, and you would know that God is Truth. Peace. LOVE.
He is Risen indeed!
Love, Mycah
“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29.
When I was younger, I threw temper tantrums when I didn’t get my way. I have spent enough time with little kids to see a trend in these temper tantrums…not a pretty sight. Adult temper tantrums are perhaps even worse. Last fall Bobby and I were on our way home from filming a wedding, and got stuck in the San Francisco airport (not surprising for anyone who has passed through that airport). Along with many people, we were waiting in a really long line, late at night, and we were not thrilled. So along with 95% of the people, we were patiently waiting our turn and keeping our irritation under control. Well, one particular middle aged man lost it. I mean I was embarrassed to witness this little incident. He got up to the counter of customer service agents (who, keep in mind, don’t just cancel flights because they are evil and hate the world). He started yelling, screaming, pointing, making a HUGE scene. Everyone in the terminal was staring. Finally security came to help him and he freaked out again. He lost his temper.
Let’s back up a little bit. When someone looses their temper, they are clearly angry about something. Anger, in and of itself, is not bad. In fact, there are times we should be angry. We should be angry about injustices in the world: children sold into slavery and prostitution, people dying from lack of clean water, corruption leading to the deaths of the innocent. We must be angry about these things, because if we aren’t angry, then we are apathetic, which I think is one of the worst possible places to be.
But in our anger, we must work towards an understanding, towards justice, towards compassion, towards love, towards caring more about others than ourselves. Jesus was angry when he found people selling animals for sacrifices in the temple, turing his Father’s house into a marketplace. (John 2).
In the Old Testament, God was angry on many occasions when people turned away from Him. God was constantly revealing Himself to the people and doing miracles, and then they would turn away from Him. God was always in control, and continues to be in control. When people loose their temper, they loose control.
“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” Proverbs 12:16
What would it like to live as if the Kingdom IS here on earth, now?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-29.
So let’s start it out, what does it mean to “Love God” ? One of the first things Jesus did in his time on earth was to call his disciples. He was walking around by a big ole body of water, the Sea of Galilee. He saw these two brothers (Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrews). They were regular guys, fisherman. Really nothing special. Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. What?! Would you do that? I can’t be sure I would. First, let’s be clear that these brothers know nothing about Jesus, so he’s essentially a complete stranger. They did not even hesitate, “at once they left”… wow! Then, they left their nets, their jobs, their lives as they knew it. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t exactly just leave everything I have, a comfortable life, in an instant like these two brothers did. Then the followed him. They didn’t know where he was leading. But they followed.
Loving others includes the people we want to love, and those we don’t. Really loving them. Listening. Being filled with patience and joy. Being humble. Acting in extraordinary ways for the sake of others, not so we look good, and so people think we are awesome or something. But, loving others because God loved us first, evidenced throughout scriptures. I talked about love two days ago, and if you see similarities, it is because we are to live a life of love.
Love God. Love Others.
What if we, as Christians, were really and truly know for being abnormally loving, peaceful, joyful, and courageous people? How transforming and radical would that be!
I pray you press into the Lord and be transformed by the workings of the Holy Spirit. Our Father, we want to recapture the beauty of Your Kingdom and be Your light. We want to live for you Jesus.
Anna Miller
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liumica
mycahburns
tapestry 