4-12-20<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The night was so different from all the rest,
And a silence covers the Earth;
The stars have no glimmer, the moon tries to hide,
For in death lies the Man of their birth.<\/p>\n\n\n
The night was so different from all the rest,<\/span> In a room filled with sorrow, a mother cries,<\/span><\/span><\/span> At the feet of his mother a little boy cries,<\/span><\/span><\/span> The King of all ages, the Giver of life,<\/span><\/span><\/span> The<\/i><\/span>\u00a0stone moves, the Earth shakes, and birds start singing,<\/i><\/span> + + +<\/span><\/p>\n Every year it\u2019s the same story \u2013 not the \u201csame old story\u201d \u2013 but the Story we need to hear again and again, not every year, really, but every day of our lives. Death could not hold our King. Spiritual death, emotional death, both symbolic and real. It\u2019s about death\u2026 and life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Every year since that first Easter, skeptics ask, \u201cYes, but…\u201d or \u201cThat was Jesus. This is now…\u201d This year the Coronavirus prompts the questions and doubts and fears. \u201cJesus said He came that we would have life\u2026<\/i>?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Yes, He did. \u201c\u2026 and life more abundantly.\u201d While we are here we can have life, and it more abundantly. We don\u2019t avoid the questions, because Jesus didn\u2019t. Did He heal? Can He heal? Does He heal?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Yes, yes, and yes. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then we demand to know, Why\u2026 this person? Why\u2026 these numbers of sick? Sometimes\u2026 Why me?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Yes, Why? If we knew, we\u2019d be as God. It is very hard to say, and hard to believe, but God\u2019s Hand is in all, and as the Bible says, \u201cthe judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.\u201d That is not the opening line in a debate. It is a fact. God does not demand that we understand all things; He asks us to have faith. He lovingly requires that we be obedient.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Just as \u201cJesus was obedient to the cross.\u201d His sacrifice was God\u2019s plan to substitute for the punishment we deserve as sinners. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But there is no point to the Easter story, by itself as it happened and was witnessed by many, even with all the if<\/i>s and but<\/i>s through the centuries, unless the story does not include the next part. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jesus overcame death. He promises us a new life. A new<\/i> life. A new life. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Viruses \u2013 and broken bones, and infections, and diseases \u2013 are gruesome, and deadly, yes. And different but horrible, too, are sinful habits, and broken relationships, and hatreds, and abuses. I don\u2019t suggest a game of comparison, but sometimes a broken heart is harder to mend than a broken bone. Sin can be deadlier than a virus. If we don\u2019t stick to diets that help our bodies, can we commit to blameless lives for the sake of our souls?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jesus came to help us with those dilemmas. Jesus died to save us from those weaknesses. Jesus rose to redeem us from our sins and weaknesses and failings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The night before Easter \u2013 between His physical death and His resurrection \u2013 were the loneliest, most desolate days in humankind\u2019s history. Despite the numerous prophecies, despite His disciples seeing uncountable miracles performed, and despite Jesus\u2019s own words\u2026 there was despair and hopelessness. Even His Mother despaired; the earth was dark; heartbroken, they felt all alone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But then…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The<\/i><\/span>\u00a0stone moves, the Earth shakes, and birds start singing,<\/i><\/span> + + +<\/p>\n
And a silence covers the Earth;<\/span>
The stars have no glimmer, the moon tries to hide,<\/span>
For in death lies the <\/span>M<\/span>an of their birth.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>For Jesus, her Son, now is gone;<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>Her <\/span><\/span><\/span>C<\/span><\/span><\/span>hild sent from <\/span><\/span><\/span>H<\/span><\/span><\/span>eaven was taken away,<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>Heartbroken, she feels all alone.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>Saying, \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/span>Mama, <\/span><\/span><\/span>I don’t understand\u2019;<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>I remember the look of love in His eyes,<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>That I saw, by the touch of His hand.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>For a moment lies silent and still.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>But a power sent from heaven comes breaking the night,<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>And death must bow to His will! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/i>The sun shines, the Earth warms, for <\/i><\/span>the<\/i><\/span> new life it\u2019s bringing!<\/i><\/span>
<\/i>That<\/i> little boy stops crying, a <\/i><\/span>M<\/i><\/span>other is smiling,<\/i><\/span>
<\/i>For death could not hold a King!<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
<\/i>The sun shines, the Earth warms, for <\/i><\/span>the<\/i><\/span> new life it\u2019s bringing!<\/i><\/span>
<\/i>That<\/i> little boy stops crying, a <\/i><\/span>M<\/i><\/span>other is smiling,<\/i><\/span>
<\/i>For death could not hold a King!<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n