Sunday is Coming!

 As we approach Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday I place myself in different thoughts. I watched “The Passion of the Christ” last night once again. As weird as it sounds it’s not a movie I enjoy, but truly love at the same time. I say that because it moves me deeply when I watch it seeing what my Lord went through for me.

I think every believer in Jesus Christ should own and watch “The Passion of the Christ”. But when I watched the movie this time I placed myself in another perspective. I watched in the mindset of the disciples, and followers of Jesus in that day and time.

You have to understand they were living under Roman occupation. They were ruled and governed by Rome. They were made to pay tribute to Caesar, and punished for not obeying Roman law. They found themselves basically enslaved once again. They were looking for a Hero, a Champion, a Warrior who would remove the Roman oppression and bring them freedom.

And the Hero came, the Champion was born, and the Warrior made His stand not only with Rome, but also with religion. They were there when He changed water into wine. Opened blind eyes, healed sickness and disease, raised the dead, and even the demons were subject to Him. What manner of man is this they thought, He must be the Messiah which was prophesied. Our Hero has come.

To what surprise they must have felt, when the battle happened… He stood silent, and went with the accusers without a fight. Their Hero was beaten, mocked, humiliated, and whipped, than crucified. How hopeless they felt, fear gripped their hearts, and hopelessness filled their minds. The Champion, Hero, the Brave Warrior is now dead.

They we looking for a man with a sword in hand, but what they got was a Champion with a sword in His mouth.  They wanted revenge, but they got Righteousness. They wanted war, but they got Peace that goes beyond understanding. They wanted freedom, but they got complete Salvation. See the battle they wanted was fought and the Hero did win. But it didn’t happen as they had expected.

Though He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, He was actually walking face first into the biggest battle this world has ever known until He comes again. They were looking for a warrior, but instead they got a triumphant Lamb. They were looking for human strength, but what they got was not only earthly, but also Eternal Freedom.

Jesus didn’t look like what they thought, nor did He fight as the expected. But the results He brought didn’t just win the battle… HE WON THE WAR! With His death a Covenant ended, with His Resurrection a New Covenant began, a new and better Covenant.

In our lives we all face opposition, and we are looking for answer which seems to elude us. Keep in mind, answers never come as we expect them too. But they do come. It’s always darkest before the dawn. And as with those of old, remember… Sunday is coming. Never lose hope, our King is Risen!!!

Blessings to you on this Resurrection week… May you be Strengthened, and Renewed with Hope, and Wisdom. For Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is alive forevermore.

Pastor Nolan

 “Not my will Father, but Your will be done”. ~ [Jesus]