Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

Quite a house full at Jane and Glenn’s yesterday – memories linger, that is for sure.  Paul and Tammy, Evan and Elizabeth made their usual great contribution.  What a day of joy!

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

John 1:29

This is how the disciples would get to know Jesus, as the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God, the one who would be able to take away the sins of mankind.   I am impressed by this.  From this first formal introduction to Jesus’ revelation as the Lamb of God to its actual fulfillment simply astounds me!  Is this possible?  All people?  Not only is it possible but it is now done!

I sit here pondering all this and wonder, why did Jesus not introduce himself as God’s Son, which he was?  Or the Perfect One. Which He was!  In this lies the mystery.

Jesus knows us because he is the co-creator.  He knows that we have nothing to earn our salvation and walk with God.  This had to be earned for us – Jesus did that!  This is God’s word to my heart this morning.  Praise Him!  Forever!

Jesus is alive, alive forever more.

Our knees bow before Him in worship and our tongues sing his praise.

Alongside our shed are these marvelous blooms.  I have not identified them but enjoy them, with full heart.   Lovely Easter flowers, in any case!  I enjoy their annual appearance!

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11

Today is what I call “Good Saturday.”  Jesus is making atonement for our sins and does everything necessary to put us right with God, cleansed by the Blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit.  Praise his Name forever and ever.

What he had just passed through is unbelievable, but He did it!  As a result, I am His, as are all believers in our great wide world this morning.  So, Anna Ruth and I awake full of wonder and delight.  Jesus is all we could ever imagined we need and much, much more.

May the whole world realize what has already been done for them – for us!

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27:51

Each Easter I am moved by this reference!  When Jesus released his Spirit from his body, in some mysterious way, the Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship, was changed in a moment!

We recall how first the Tabernacle, then the Temple served to make it possible for seeking sinners to live with the Father.  So much was concentrated on that curtain that divided sinful people from the glaring presence of God – it was awe inspiring, something completely different on the earth.  The moment Jesus died the unbelievable occurred – the thick curtain that separated God from mankind tore – not from bottom up but from the top down, as though God ripped it with joy and gratitude!

The door is now open, through the atoning work of Father, Son and Holy Spirit so that human beings, like me, can have peace with God.

I hear the curtain being torn; everything changes.  Jesus is on the throne with God the Father and all things are being made anew!

That is EASTER.  I bow and worship, and invite you to join me.

Our neighbor lad received a Nikon 5200 from his parents as a birthday gift that he received yesterday.  My lens fit it so he snapped about the place!  A wonderful lad who sees through things before I can even image what next!  He is such a help to us, mowing the lawn, weeding – everything.  We are blessed.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

I Timothy 2:5

Now and again our cultures consider the question, what shall we do with Jesus?  I suppose the ultimate question is, who is Jesus and what does that mean for me?  It is now Thursday before Easter, when such questions arise but are not often expressed.  The burning of Notre Dame focuses the issue for many.

This is a bit strange because it is the most important question that can or should be asked for now, for all eternity and the only question worth considering as we ponder the grace of God.

Is this true?  Or are there reservations, different ways to look at how God seeks to redeem us?  I am convinced as the case with all us believers the Jesus is the Way.

So, at this precious time we bow our hearts in deep gratitude to the Lord for saving each of us.  We do not find it useful or edifying trying to figure out if there is another way.  Consider the events we now bring to mind with power and conviction, Jesus is God incarnate, He died to save us all and is now in glory interceding for us.  He is one and only.

I embrace Him anew like all believers on earth.  Happy and Blessed Easter!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15, 17

This is my Easter season passage!  The way of eternal peace is ours – let Christ rule in my heart, not me telling Him what I demand but receiving with gratitude all he provides.  And, Paul reminds us – and be thankful.  I receive that as the word of God for me today and every day, of course.

Then the exciting prospect – the message of Christ in our midst as believers, expressing itself in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs – all with heart-felt gratitude.

That is my Easter mediation, for now!