May 1

Coolidge Examiner > Religion

The old is past, the first day of the week is here; Jesus is Lord

By William Perry
Pastor Community Christian Church at the Ho Ho Kam Village

Published: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 4:14 AM MST

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:31-32

Sometimes, even though we know better, we lock ourselves in a room with fear, doubt and anxiety as they become our depressing companions.  We know it’s not right but at times we would rather dwell with such unholy company as this than we would with such pleasant companions as faith, hope and love.  I know we do, we all do.

I recall just a few days ago, looking outside my window, seeing a blue funk instead of remembering the rainbow of God’s promises.  I was in a behaving badly mode!

We can all get there, somewhat like the disciples of Jesus after his death.  They were so overcome with discouragement that they forgot all about the so many times that Jesus had told them that he would arise from the dead.  Jesus was not a part of their crisis, nor was He of mine, and no doubt, not yours either.  When we are tempted get into this down cast mode, how very much like these disciples we are at times.  I say “we” because we’ve all been there, and this can affect any one of us.  We can get down because of the present circumstances of our daily life, or we can let our stinking thinking get in the way of our looking up, and into the promises of the one who has promised better days in the future for each one of us who put our trust in him.  It is shame on us when we refuse to receive his offer.

The Bible offers us this truth in the Epistle of First John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light: And in him there is no darkness at all.”  And no matter how often we pave over the weeds of our life, mow them down or douse them with weed killer, they just keep sprouting back up, they just keep seeking the light.  And you know, God has designed our human souls to be like that.  You can break them, crush them, bury them under vast structures of state oppression, social custom, fear, superstition and ignorance.  Still, though many still love darkness, because the eyes of their souls can become accustomed to the dark, and now as the light breaks through, it hurts their eyes.  They love the darkness, but they seek the light. Isn’t that strange?

We have all struggled between this darkness and light, even within ourselves, and we have seen it played out all around us.  In the gospel of Matthew, in Chapter 28, Verse 20, Matthew records Jesus as saying, “I am with you always, to the very end of age.” 

Easter Sunday has come, it is the beginning of a new week, the Sabbath of sorrows is past. The darkness of despair is gone.  It’s the dawn of a New Day, a day of hope, of a bright hope. The Lord is seated at the right hand of the Father.  The first day of the week, like the beauty of the longed-for first flower of spring has now come.  Sunday has come!  Friday is finished!  The Son, in all his splendor, has risen, the Bible says, “With healing in his wings.”  We can throw away our spices, reserved for things that are dead. And we can worry no more about a stone that is too heavy to be rolled away!  Go ahead, enter and see for yourself!  See! The tomb is empty!  He is not there. Jesus has risen!

How can we not be joyful knowing that.

“Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand. He is alive. He’s alive and I’m forgiven! Heaven’s gates are open wide!”  Unlock the doors, because they can’t keep him out anyway. Make way for the King!  Receive his message of peace and love. Experience the peace that passes all understanding.  Our hearts should be “burning within.”  As you rediscover the resurrected Christ we need to call out as Thomas did, “My Lord and My God.”

Amen
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Our gatherings are getting smaller each week as the “snow birds” head north.

Each Thursday and Sunday evenings a group gathers to jam for approximately three hours.  Lot’s of good old country and western songs and good times.  Very enjoyable.

To hear this week's message click here.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
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