A note to encourage you

By Dave Steinacher

“From Despair to Unspeakable Joy - In 3 Days”

So, the Disciples had just spent 3.5 years of their lives following Jesus everywhere in His ministry, while Jesus befriended and taught them of God’s Kingdom. They had been through a lot, both physically, and emotionally, and all the while, trying to figure out what Jesus was really saying, and how it would impact them, currently and in the future. They thought that Jesus was coming to deliver them from Roman rule and oppression, but Jesus had His Father’s higher goal in mind (“As for the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9  NAS), to offer Himself as the final sacrifice for the sins of the world, and offer reconciliation between God and men, through repentance and forgiveness of sins.

They had just seen Jesus mount a young colt (a young colt/donkey is the only animal that has a cross formed on its back…..I just found this out about a week ago….cool, eh?) and rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Then, less than a week later, they spent some intimate time at the Passover/Last Supper with Jesus. They argued about who was going to sit on Jesus’ right hand, who was the greatest and who it was that was going to betray Jesus. Peter said he would never deny Him, yet denied Him three times before the cock crowed, and was deeply grieved in his spirit, to the point of weeping and total withdrawal. They fell asleep when they were supposed to be watching and praying in the Mount of Olives. They saw him be brought before Pilate, Herod, Annas, Caiaphas, and the people, and be falsely accused, scorned, spit on, scourged, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. In their despair, they all departed for their homes, except for Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, and an unnamed disciple. (Interesting that it was mostly the women who were the last ones supporting Jesus. John 19:25-27 & Matthew 27:55)

So, the disciples were devastated to say the least when Jesus was crucified and put to death. They were without their leader, didn’t really understand what was going on, and basically felt all alone with no real purpose.

AND THEN……

The women (gotta love the faithful women!!!) were going to anoint His body with spices, which was the custom, and Jesus wasn’t there….the stone was rolled away, and two men in dazzling apparel said, HE HAS RISEN!!!!!!!!!  (Luke 24 - I suggest you read the whole chapter because it gets better with every verse). So, Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus, to Cleopas and his friend, and they finally recognize Him when He broke bread with them that evening. Finally, Jesus appears to His eleven disciples, gives them instructions and was blessing them when He was carried to heaven.

Luke 24:52&53 - “And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God continually in the temple.”

In anticipation of Resurrection Sunday and all it means, let us praise God with great joy, HE IS RISEN!!!

See you on Sunday!!!

Dave and Sallie Steinacher

P.S. In my writings, texts, etc. you will see me use the 3 exclamation points every now and then. They stand for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit……kind of a blessing on the words.