LET GO OF THE SORROW; THERE'S A BRIGHTER TOMORROW!

On one trip, we were able to worship with the people during Holy Week and Easter.

In the U.S., on Good Friday worship is mournful and sad.

A day when we remember our sins, and are very sorry that Jesus had to endure all he did, because we are sinners.

In Haiti however, on Good Friday, it is a joyful and happy celebration.

They know the end of the story and choose to rejoice, sing, dance, and be happy they don’t have to live with the guilt and condemnation for their sins.

Today I’d like to share both sides of the story, and encourage you to make time to worship and give thanks' to Jesus, in whatever way makes you feel closer to him.

Drops of blood were mixed with tears, as Jesus prayed to his Father, in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He had taken his disciples along with him for comfort and strength, …but they were too tired to pray with him or for him.

We sometimes feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders, and that nobody cares that we’re hurting... but when we read the Bible, we know we have a friend who understands how much we’re hurting....

In agony Jesus prayed, …Father if there is some other way, please allow this cup of suffering to pass from me....… Never the less, not my will, but yours be done.

Three times he cried out to God... but heaven was silent. He knew his Father loved mankind so much that he must be the sacrificial lamb, to save them from their sins.

He knew it was time, and rose to willingly lay down his life.

He could have run;… but he chose not to.

Soldiers appeared, and then one of his trusted disciples …Judas. The kiss of death was placed upon his cheek and he was led to the slaughter.

False accusations were made against him…, yet no two agreed. He was spit upon, brutally beaten, and mockingly the soldiers placed a crown of thorns upon his head.

If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself... …the harsh words cut through his heart.

His disciples denied him and ran in fear…, yet the women …stayed back in the distance, hoping and praying for deliverance from the Father.

Peter had been warned by Jesus, Satan desired to test him, …but in pride he believed he was invincible.

In horror he watched his master suffering from afar.

He sat down in the camp of the enemy by the fire to warm himself.

A young girl recognized him, and said, …You are one of them.

In fear... Peter denied knowing Jesus.

Two more times he was accused of being his follower.

Terrified he would suffer the same fate as his LORD, he began to curse and swore he never knew the man.

Suddenly a cock crowed in the distance …and he remembered Jesus’ warning…...

Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.

In shame he ran away and wept bitterly in remorse.

In the hall of judgment, Pilate questioned Jesus extensively, …but He choose to remain silent in the midst of his accusers.

Pilate found no fault in him, and offered to release him, …but an angry crowd chanted …Crucify Him!!

In fear of the people, Pilate ordered the death sentence upon Jesus.

He was told to pick up his cross and carry it to Calvary.

Weak from the beatings, the heavy weight of the cross was more than he could carry.

Soldiers grabbed a man named Simon from the crowd to carry it for him.

They nailed his body to the cross with huge spikes and lifted it high into the air.

Blood, sweat, and the dirt of our sins, covered his body with shame and humiliation.

The soldiers greedily divided his clothes among themselves, …like trophies from a hunt.

In love, he prayed, …Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’’re doing.

His mother drew near to the cross and the pain in her eyes was intense.

From the day of her son’s conception, she knew God had a divine plan for him.

Why didn’’t he perform a miracle and let this nightmare come to an end?

John was at her side, comforting her.

Jesus looked into her eyes and said…, Woman behold your son.

…He wanted to be sure his mother was cared for in his absence. From that day forward, John cared for her.

People watched in disbelief and said,… He saved others, himself he cannot save. They could not understand… how this man, who had healed the sick and raised the dead …was now hanging powerless on the cross.

Two criminals were hung on each side of him. One mocked him and said, …If you’’re Christ, save yourself and us.

The other man said, …Don’’t you fear God, this man has done nothing wrong.

Jesus when you are in your kingdom, remember me.

In love, Jesus reached out his hand of compassion and reassured him...…Today, you will be with me in paradise.

Around noon darkness covered the whole earth for 3 hours.

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, …My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Into your hands, I commit my spirit.

It is finished!!

Pilate had a sign place above his head which read, This is the King of the Jews.

All prophesies had been fulfilled concerning his life and death.

Suddenly the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. A great earthquake opened many graves of the saints and they rose.

Soldiers broke the legs of the other men to hasten their death, but when they came to Jesus, he was already dead.

They pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water poured out.

A rich man named Joseph of Arimathaea, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed he was dead, and allowed Joseph to take down the body.

He and the women quickly prepared it because it was almost time for the Sabbath.

A new tomb would be his place of burial. In those days, poor people were buried in the dirt, …but God had prepared a place of honor for his Son.

He was laid in the tomb and… a stone was placed over the entrance and sealed.

Soldiers were ordered to guard the grave for 3 days… because they remembered Jesus had prophesied, he would rise from the dead in 3 days. They wanted to be sure no one would steal the body and pretend he had risen.

Depression, fear and sadness must have gripped their hearts. For 3 years they had followed Jesus and given up their lives to serve him. Now, what would happen to them?

After the Sabbath, the women rose early to go to the tomb. When they arrived, the stone was rolled away by an angel from heaven. He sat at the entrance, waiting for them to arrive.

His clothes were brilliant white, like snow. The guards of the tomb were afraid of him and fell down like dead men.

The angel said to the women, …Fear not! Jesus, who was crucified, has risen. Come and see, where the Lord laid.

Go quickly and tell his disciples and Peter, he has risen.

Perhaps the angel spoke Peter's name separately from the other disciples, so he would feel accepted. He probably felt unworthy after he denied Jesus 3 times.

The personal invitation would let him know, he was forgiven of his sin.

The women ran from the tomb and first saw Peter and John.

Mary Magdalene said...

They have taken the Lord out of the tomb.

Their words seemed unbelievable….

Peter and John ran to the tomb, to investigate.

John ran faster than Peter and reached the cave first.

He bent down to look inside and saw the linen cloths upon the ground... but he did not go in.

When Peter arrived, he entered, stooping to find the linen cloths lay by themselves.

The napkin that was around his head was not with the other cloths, but folded and placed apart by itself.

John entered and he believed that Jesus had risen.

The disciples returned to their own home... but Mary remained outside the tomb weeping.

Suddenly she saw 2 angels in white. They asked, why are you weeping and she replied...

Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don't know where they have laid him.

She turned and saw a man, who she thought was the gardener. It was Jesus, but she did not recognize him.

He asked, why are you weeping?

She said, sir if you have taken him away, please tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus said to her... Mary.

Her eyes were opened and she said... Rabboni, which means Master.

He said to her...

Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17

 Mary went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord, and the words he had spoken to her.

For 3 days they had grieved for Jesus.

Their pain seemed almost unbearable, yet in the morning, what joy awaited them.

In those days women's testimonies were not usually taken seriously.

Men were held in much higher regard.

Jesus chose Mary to appear to first. She had anointed his head and feet with ointment to prepare him for burial... and had remained with him through the crucifixion.

Jesus always lifted women up, and never condemned them or made them feel unworthy.

Like Mary, sometimes in our grief, we do not see Jesus, when he is right beside us.

Our eyes are focused on our tragedy or self pity, and not on the one who can save us and raise us.

Easter is a time for all to rejoice and be thankful.

God loved each one of us so much, he send his only Son to die for us...

He is the only God who is powerful enough to conquer death and Satan.

Last Sunday there was a change in the seasons, from winter to spring.

For several days this week, I was outside raking the yard, looking forward to seeing new flowers and leaves on the trees soon....

A robin was in the yard; following me around, singing and looking for seeds and worms.

Then suddenly, a snow and ice storm blanketed our land, and it looks like winter again...

As much as I’m looking forward to spring; the snow reminds me that the blood of Jesus washes my sins away and makes me whiter than snow.

I know, soon God will miraculously melt the snow...spring flowers and leaves will burst forth gloriously, just like my Savior did when he rose from the grave.

So today you have a choice to make...

If you’’ve been struggling with feelings of bitterness or shame, Jesus can set you free once and forever.

Let go of the past, and start living each day with joyful expectation about your life and future.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 Rejoice in thankfulness that all past, present, and future sins and mistakes you will ever commit are buried forever. Don't let anyone tempt you to dig them back up again.

God wants you to live your new life as an ambassador for Christ... sharing with others the wonderful resurrection power of our LORD.

Easter is a time of forgiveness... a time to forgive someone who hurt you, because you have been forgiven.

Precious one…...

Jesus loves you and so do I.

Escape from the tomb of depression, and place your trust in God.

Jesus went through hell, so you don’’t have to.

The Apostle Paul said... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

 

Spring is like a resurrection.

When nature rises to perfection.

And suddenly the frozen earth,

Presents us with a glorious birth.

 

Each day, new miracles to see.

The seasons hold such mystery!

I do not question why or how.

But rather at God's feet, I'll bow.

 

I'll thank him for a second chance.

To stop and take another glance.

But this time, from a different view.

A slower pace, to see things new.

 

A fresh perspective...free from the past.

Treat each day, like it's your last.

The last day you could see a flower.

Or visit with a friend an hour.

 

Let God direct your life for you.

And tell you what you have to do.

Through His eyes, you soon will see...

A wealth of time, just standing free.

 

First take the time to spend with Him.

And then you'll see your life begin...

To not be clouded by tomorrow,

Or so much guilt or pain or sorrow.

 

Your heart will fill with joy and ease,

If God is who you seek to please.

He'll meet your needs and leave time still.

If we will simply do His Will!

 

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Isaiah 35:1-2

 

Have a Blessed Holy Week and Easter,

Valerie Rousseau