The Final Conversations of Christ- Part 11

Sometimes we can become so accustomed to the traditions of a holiday like Easter, that we may lose sight of its importance. That might sound like a distasteful sentiment for a Christian, who should be eager to celebrate our Lord overcoming death and the grave to give us the spirit of adoption into kinship with the Father. And most of the time, I do feel that way. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve had many Easters that are transformational experiences, where God lets revival break out in the fellowship or speaks to me very personally, imparts a revelation or just lifts my spirit with a message of renewal and reconciliation. But if I’m being honest, being in the faith a long time has conditioned me to expect a repetitive series of traditional events to take place during Holy week.

But the wonderful thing about God’s Word, that never fails me, is how it is new each time you read it. It revives you and surprises you. It is the ultimate renewable resource. And this week, Pastor Aaron’s message made me view the resurrection as a kind of CSI mystery, which I had never before.

Stooping down, (John) saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. John 20:4-7.

The scene described in this passage was inconsistent with the methods of grave robbers, who were more likely to take the linens and leave the body in the tomb; or with the Romans, who if they’d chosen to remove Jesus to prevent a grave robbery would have taken the remains in one piece. This was a clue to Jesus’ personal resurrection, which our witnesses had overlooked.

But perhaps the best thing for me this week was the altar call. Not just because more than a dozen people made a declaration of faith this week, which always blesses me, but because it challenged me as well. In Hebrews 11:6 it states, “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who seek Him.” As many of you may relate, I have mistakenly thought of the sinner’s prayer and call to repentance as de rigeur for Sunday – for Easter in particular. I used to view it as a moment of prayer designated for non-Christians, believing that it no longer had an application to my life. But now I almost never miss a chance to pray that simple prayer with everyone else, because while we are in the flesh we are never done repenting. And, I find, if we pray scripturally we are never done experiencing God’s grace for professing our faith. If my appetite for sin seems inexhaustible, His forgiveness seems just as vast. He really does reward our seeking, and the Word is the best search tool I know.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning – great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

Written by: Chad Halcom

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant