March 30, 2013

He's Alive!!

"Don't 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.  But go tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see Him, just as He told you.'" Mark 16:6-7
 
Thinking of Peter and the guilt he must have endured during those silent days between Christ's death and resurrection.  After his proclamation to "lay down his life for Jesus," Peter ultimately denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, just as Jesus predicted. Isn't God good to have given Peter a personalized invitation at the empty tomb! 
 

"But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Mark 16:7. 

 
That didn't mean Peter was no longer a disciple! That was to reaffirm to Peter, whom I sure was fully doubting where he stood with the Lord, that YES, YOU ARE still a disciple! Jesus wants to make sure YOU KNOW you are wanted to come and find Him! Thank You, Father, for Your forgiveness and desire to restore us when we mess up!!! 

Happy Easter to all my brothers and sisters in Christ! Find a purpose to live, no matter how defeated you may be feeling....don't give up!  I thought of Judas & the overwhelming guilt he must've felt-- but look at the wonderful victory he missed, because he gave up and felt there was no hope after he committed the ultimate denial of Christ!! But when I think of it, how many of us have betrayed the Lord for something worth FAR less than Him!?  ANYTHING on the planet is worth far less than Jesus; so if we worship or choose that particular idol ~ be it money, or another person, our ambitions or dreams---we have betrayed Jesus.  BUT TAKE HEART!!!  He wants US to come and find Him!!!
 

   "Seek Me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart!"  Jeremiah 29:13