Day 38 of 40 days to Passover and Resurrection Weekend... His eyes

You have heard the stories of a Messiah since you were born.  At times in your early years you shrugged them off as simple stories passed down from your parents and grandparents.  Then, as you grew older and wiser, you began sharing the hope of your ancestors.  One day, one day, God will send Messiah.

One day you begin hearing stories of this man who heals the sick, casts out demons and forgives sin.  The word on the street is that he may be the Messiah, but you just aren’t sure.  Something hopeful in your heart wants it to be true, but reality sinks in and you begin to doubt.

The stories about this man continue to spread.  More and more people begin to believe he truly is the Messiah.  Your hope begins to grow as well.  Maybe.  Just, maybe.

As you prepare for Passover with your family you hear of the uproar caused by this man.  You enter the streets and see a mixture of emotions.  Some crying “Crucify!”  Others crying bitter tears as they watch this beloved man suffer.

The hope in your heart is almost unbearable now.  Could this truly be the Messiah?  There has never been such a fuss made over any man before.

Then, as he carries the cross on His back through the streets, blood pouring from his body, it happens.  That one moment that defines who you are.  He looks at you.  Straight at you and no one else.  You feel as if the entire world has disappeared and you are alone with this beaten and bruised man.  He is looking at you.  His eyes.  His eyes penetrate your soul and you know, in an instant, HE is in fact the Messiah.

You take a step back to process things.  You go back to your home where it is safe and recount all of the stories and prophecies you have been told of the coming Messiah.  You cry.  You pray. 

Then, it’s over.  He is gone.  The man you knew in your heart to be the Messiah is dead.

This crushing blow causes your faith to shake at it’s core. You believed.  He made you believe.  He looked deep in your soul and revealed Himself to you. 

Sleepless nights pass.  You can’t get this look of His face out of your mind.  You can’t stop crying over the loss of the hope that had grown deep inside.  The heartbreak is more than you can take.  You ask the tough questions and meditate on the prophecies.  You must find the answers.

Then, you hear rumors.  Rumors of an empty tomb.  The hope inside you that died on the cross with that man from Nazareth begins to burn.  But you need proof.   So you leave.  You go to the tomb where they laid Him. 

As you arrive the tomb is surrounded by guards.  All of them talking about how a stone so large could have been rolled away.  They all speculated on the disappearance of the body.  Could it be?

You walk closer, hoping for a glimpse.  An answer.

You step in and see the tomb is empty.  But still, no answers.  So you head back home, confused, but hopeful.

You cross paths with a man who is taking up space on your side of the road.  In frustration you look up to tell this man to share the road, but the words won’t come out.  His eyes.  His eyes.  The man smiles and walks on.  You stop, frozen.  His eyes. 

You run back to the streets and begin sharing your story.  Your doubts, questions, fears and the answer.  Jesus IS the Messiah, and HE has risen, just as He said He would.  Just as the prophecies of old said.  The stories handed down from your ancestors are true and, through Christ, are now fulfilled. 

Death has lost it’s victory and the grave has been denied!

Have you lost the excitement that used to flood your body when you thought about the resurrection?  Have you lost sight of the victory Jesus has over death and the grave?  Have you heard the stories so many times they have lost their power? 

Go ask a young child to tell you the story.  Listen intently to the details they give, and the hope in their heart.  Renew your childlike faith. 

Oh I pray this season is different. I pray the Lord renews the awe and wonder of His resurrection. 

 

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here, He has risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:5-7

“Do not be alarmed,” he said.  “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen? He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.”  Mark 16:6

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He has risen!”  Luke 24:5

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!” John 20:18

He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.   You are witnesses of these things.”  Luke 24:46-48