Our pastor has challenged our entire congregation to read the New Testament of the Bible together. Up until this pass weekend, I had stayed on course, reading or listening to the passage that was assigned for each day.
We went out of town this weekend to visit friends. I had some time to read, but found that was not as motivated. I was nearing the end of the Gospel of John and I was dreading to read again how Jesus was betrayed, wrongfully tried, beaten, mocked and then crucified. It makes me so sad, even though I know it was in God's plan. It is difficult to read, but it is the reason we can be right with God.
Today as I trudged through to the end of John, I came to the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb. This woman loved Jesus deeply. She, along with with His mother and a few others, stayed near Jesus during the mock trial and all of the torment that he was put through. They were there at the foot of the cross until Jesus gave up His Spirit.
The next Sunday morning Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. She had been through a horrible experience, and was feeling intense grief for Jesus.
Peter and John had also come to the empty the tomb, but left. Only Mary stayed behind. She was crying and confused. The loss of Jesus was felt deeply by her and she wasn't sure what to do next. Two angels were sitting in the empty tomb and asked Mary why she was crying. “'Because they have taken away my Lord, ... and I don’t know where they have put him."
As Mary was about to leave, another voice also asked why she was crying. It was voice of Jesus, but she didn't realize it. As He stood there, I'm sure Jesus' heart broke for his beloved Mary.
She was confused and grief stricken. All Jesus did was say her name, "Mary".
She immediately recognized Jesus' voice, "Rabboni!" A drastic change came over her. Mary's sorrow turned into real joy and excitement. He is alive!
What a precious gift Jesus gave this woman. In her deep heartache, He appeared to her, before anyone else had seen him, even before he had gone back to his Father! The love Jesus has for those who love Him is precious and inconceivable!
There are times when I am overwhelmed with sadness and confusion. My eyes burn from crying and I feel alone.
In the darkness my spirit recognizes my Savior's"voice" calling my name.
The tears subside as I listen and allow my savior to console me. What a precious gift! In those times my focus is taken off myself and onto my wonderful Abba Father. He is all loving and wise. Everything is under His control, He is totally just and worthy of our trust.
God often touches my soul through music. The song "Right Here" by Ashes Remain has meant so much to me:
I can see every tear you've cried
like an ocean in your eyes
All the pain and the scars have left you cold
I can see all the fears you face
through a storm that never goes away
Don’t believe all the lies that you’ve been told
I’ll be right here now
to hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
be the One who took your place
When the rain falls
I won’t let go
I’ll be right here
I will show you the way back home
never leave you all alone
I will stay until the morning comes
I’ll show you how to live again
and heal the brokenness within
Let me love you when you come undone
When daybreak seems so far away
reach for my hand
When hope and peace begin to fray
still I will stand
When the rain falls I won’t let go
I’ll be right here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmeI7bjUSWY&feature=related
We went out of town this weekend to visit friends. I had some time to read, but found that was not as motivated. I was nearing the end of the Gospel of John and I was dreading to read again how Jesus was betrayed, wrongfully tried, beaten, mocked and then crucified. It makes me so sad, even though I know it was in God's plan. It is difficult to read, but it is the reason we can be right with God.
Today as I trudged through to the end of John, I came to the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb. This woman loved Jesus deeply. She, along with with His mother and a few others, stayed near Jesus during the mock trial and all of the torment that he was put through. They were there at the foot of the cross until Jesus gave up His Spirit.
The next Sunday morning Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. She had been through a horrible experience, and was feeling intense grief for Jesus.
Peter and John had also come to the empty the tomb, but left. Only Mary stayed behind. She was crying and confused. The loss of Jesus was felt deeply by her and she wasn't sure what to do next. Two angels were sitting in the empty tomb and asked Mary why she was crying. “'Because they have taken away my Lord, ... and I don’t know where they have put him."
As Mary was about to leave, another voice also asked why she was crying. It was voice of Jesus, but she didn't realize it. As He stood there, I'm sure Jesus' heart broke for his beloved Mary.
She was confused and grief stricken. All Jesus did was say her name, "Mary".
She immediately recognized Jesus' voice, "Rabboni!" A drastic change came over her. Mary's sorrow turned into real joy and excitement. He is alive!
What a precious gift Jesus gave this woman. In her deep heartache, He appeared to her, before anyone else had seen him, even before he had gone back to his Father! The love Jesus has for those who love Him is precious and inconceivable!
There are times when I am overwhelmed with sadness and confusion. My eyes burn from crying and I feel alone.
In the darkness my spirit recognizes my Savior's"voice" calling my name.
The tears subside as I listen and allow my savior to console me. What a precious gift! In those times my focus is taken off myself and onto my wonderful Abba Father. He is all loving and wise. Everything is under His control, He is totally just and worthy of our trust.
God often touches my soul through music. The song "Right Here" by Ashes Remain has meant so much to me:
I can see every tear you've cried
like an ocean in your eyes
All the pain and the scars have left you cold
I can see all the fears you face
through a storm that never goes away
Don’t believe all the lies that you’ve been told
I’ll be right here now
to hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
be the One who took your place
When the rain falls
I won’t let go
I’ll be right here
I will show you the way back home
never leave you all alone
I will stay until the morning comes
I’ll show you how to live again
and heal the brokenness within
Let me love you when you come undone
When daybreak seems so far away
reach for my hand
When hope and peace begin to fray
still I will stand
When the rain falls I won’t let go
I’ll be right here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmeI7bjUSWY&feature=related
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