Monsters and Celebration

MONSTERS AND CELEBRATION

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

John 11:25-26:  “Jesus said to her [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will NEVER die.  Do you believe this?’”  Emphasis added.

             

            “Do you want to walk up with me to say ‘Good-Bye’ to Midge?”

            My four year old looked at me, biting her lip.  Her wrinkled-forehead showed stress that pressured her to whisper, “No.”

            Coffins, as sanctuary centerpieces, do resemble monsters!

            Midge was dead.  Her great-granddaughter didn’t know her very well, as we lived far away.  But I enjoyed a close relationship with her when I grew up.  Midge was a staple all my life. 

            Halloween was when our extended family enjoyed a parade in which most kids participated marching past Midge’s house.  Her upstairs bay window and folding chairs on the curb pictured parents cheering for kids marching in formation with other members belonging to various extra-curricular activities.  In Halloween dress or marching-unit uniforms, we’d cram inside to chomp on Midge’s homemade cinnamon buns afterward.  

            But four-year-olds don’t understand death.  Parents try to shield kids from that monster.  I didn’t insist that my daughter accompany me to face Midge’s monster.

            I didn’t blame her.  I never liked death, either.

            God never intended for death to invade the perfect utopia He created.  Papa planted the tree of life in the center of His Garden.  That tree’s fruit maintains people’s youth and vitality (Genesis 2:9).  But now, Cherubim flashing flaming swords prevent people from entering that Garden to eat from its life-preserving tree (Genesis 3:24).  

            My daughter and I felt death’s monster at Midge’s funeral.  Mourners aren’t alone when weeping after someone dies.  Jesus cried for Lazarus outside his tomb (John 11:25).

            But the same devil who tempted Adam and Eve to eat fruit from God’s one forbidden tree celebrates when people die (Genesis 2:17).

            Our heavenly Father knew the perfect time to stop the devil’s celebrations and sent His Son into the world.  Jesus showed people that the Father is love.  Jesus demonstrated that love to whoever would come to Him.  He healed untold numbers, cast out demons, spoke miraculous wonders like calming a raging sea, and He even washed His disciple’s feet (John 13:5-12).  He allowed Himself to die a horrible death on a cross. 

            The devil celebrated three days when Jesus died.

            But his party ended when Jesus was resurrected! 

Take Home Nugget

            Death was the LAST enemy (monster) that Christ destroyed—see lesson linked below.  His followers are waiting for their turn to also rise to life.

            Our celebration will last forever!

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

HAPPY EASTER!

Adapted from “Look Again, Pilate!” a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 30, 2018. 

And

“The Monster of Death is Swallowed Up” by Rev. Thomas E. Engel.  April 1, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith