Easter of 2016 has passed. What a beautiful morning. Snow covered everything. No ice, just beautiful snow. A reminder of just exactly what believing in a Risen Savior means to us. Our sins of scarlet covered and made white as snow. Why? Because “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.”
Far too young to understand about sin and death, Easter was a special pastel dress, new shoes, bows in my hair and a surprise on Easter morning. Sunday school sharing with “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” proudly sung.
The years passed and I began to realize that life was going to involve more than pretty dresses and bows. Indeed, it was going to have difficult phases. Growing up presented new responsbilities and pressures from outside the safety of home. Still treasured that sweet song, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.”
In October 1967, Jesus found me. As I was reminded in worship service this Easter. It was Jesus who found me. He came looking for me, just as He did the disciples. He left the tomb and appeared to them in the room where they were hiding. They were paralyzed in fear of the same fate they had seen Jesus fall under. Think back on that time when you first believed. When He came looking for you. It was definitely a news flash for me. Snap out of it! It was not about me. Not about my survival skills. It was all about Jesus. Letting Him lead for a change. Still, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” held a place in my heart.
Then there were my babies. The excitement all over again of pretty dresses, new shoes, hair with bows, Easter baskets, egg hunts, and little voices so loved and treasured, singing , “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.”
Then comes the hard part. Youth has turned to aged experience. What used to be all mountaintop views of the world, suddenly had valleys running through. Life becomes more than happy celebrations. Loved ones slip from our grasp into God’s hands. Separation is the hardest part. Battles waged in hospital rooms, homes and highways. “Jesus Loves Me This I Know?” Questions come. Can this be true? Why all the sorrow? I suppose, we could truly ask. Why not? Jesus himself suffered because of the evil and darkness in the world. If the Savior who sacrificed himself suffered, what would make us eligible to be sheltered from bearing our own cross? Jesus knew what it was to lose on this earth. But He also knew that His purpose in being here was to make a way, a passage, from the darkness into the light of eternal life. He knew that those who would believe in Him, though they die, they would live again. Gonna take big measures of faith right here. We did not walk with Him. We did not see Him crucified. He did not appear to us in that room so long ago. But He did to the eleven. What they witnessed was so powerful that they would die themselves before denying Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Would you die for a lie? I know I wouldn’t. They didn’t either. They could say without a shadow of a doubt, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” Fearlessly, they brought the message of Christ, the Risen Savior to the world.
His followers thought He was gone, dead. Never to be seen again. They were overwhelmed by sorrow and fear. Very similar to the worry, fears and sorrow, that we all face. They were with Him constantly but they failed to recall one very important promise from Him. He was going to die. Death was going to visit them. They were going to be saddened for a time, BUT, He was going to live again. They missed that part of the conversation. We may forget that part of the promise when sorrow visits us. That promise is for all who believe in the saving grace of Jesus. Though death overtake you here, life truly begins again, with Him. We can’t see it, but we believe it because of that empty tomb, and His recorded appearance to hundreds post resurrection.
Whatever our situation. Whatever loss we have suffered. It isn’t over. We will celebrate one day with all those who have gone before us. They are celebrating their victory now. We cannot see it, but we know it is true. Why? Because “Jesus Loves Me This I Know, For The Bible Tells Me So.” We are not youngsters anymore. We have lived life. In the last quarter of the ballgame, that song means way more than it did in the first.
~Scripture For Today~
John 20: 26-29
26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (NASB)
John 17: 20 (Please read the full prayer of Jesus in John 17. His prayer before departing this world was not only for His disciples but includes all who would believe.)
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Truly we can sing, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” Your word brings comfort with all the promise that no matter what stage of life we are in, You are there with us, because of Jesus. We pray for patience and longsuffering with a world that does not see. We desire to leave all doubts behind us and walk in the victory that Jesus secured, rising from death unto life. Thank you for this beautiful day after Easter. That first Easter so long ago provided the light of the days that followed that day of darkness. Ease the sorrow and bring peace to all who suffer loss. Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! We ask forgiveness of our sins, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.