A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. ~Proverbs
29:23
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:3-11
Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us. He has injured us, but He will bind our wounds. After two days He will revive us. On the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord. Let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear! He will come to us like the Winter rains, like the Spring rains that water the earth.” ~Hosea 6:1-3
Have you ever purchased or made a gift for someone you dearly loved, far ahead of the event at which it would be received? Would you often find yourself bursting with anticipation? You knew that what you had to give was the perfect gift. In your mind, you would imagine your loved one’s face at the anticipated pleasure for both of you.
Sometimes, you might be tempted to give hints. Sometimes, you didn’t think you could stand the wait any longer and were tempted to just bring it out and share it now! Then, the wait is over, the event has arrived, and the gift is given. The reality of the joy of the recipient is even better than you had hoped for, making the wait worth all the turmoil.
I think that is Easter from Jesus’ perspective. He and His Father had planned this moment from eternity. Finally, it is here! Jesus is risen triumphant and all the hopelessness and despair can now fall away. He can now give us the complete gift, just as He has always longed to give, a hope for a future with Him! When we consider all that Jesus went through to create this gift of salvation, the humiliation, the ridicule, we are amazed that we could be loved that much.
There was once an African student who knew that his teacher loved seashells. Unfortunately for both of them, the ocean was very far away. The student loved the teacher and the best way that he knew of to show his love was to give him a shell, so he began walking. He walked a long way, but he found beautiful shells and made the return trip home anticipating the joy on his teachers face when he would see the shells that the loving student had collected.
Finally, with great joy, the day arrived when the student was able to bless his teacher. The teacher received the shells with deep gratitude and appreciation. He said to the student: “You walked so far and were away from home for so long!” The student smiled as he said to his teacher: “The walk is part of the gift.”
I know that in reality Jesus is our teacher, but the fact is that His walk was part of His gift to us. And he lived out the principle in the Proverb, “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.” Though He is God, Jesus lived as a man of lowly Spirit! The time, the planning, the suffering and the friendship are also woven into the gift of His life, given sacrificially for us. There is so much depth to this gift that we may never fully grasp its fullness until we are in glory with Him and even then, it may take eternity for us to say, “Thank You,” completely.
Now, on this day, Jesus is fully enjoying the sharing of this gift with those He walked with while on earth. First, He reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene and gives her the blessing of speaking her name. Then, it is reported that He met with Peter and, though we have not been given the privilege of knowing what they talked about, I’m sure that at least part of it involved the blessing of the assurance of forgiveness. Then, He lovingly, even playfully, teases the friends walking on the Emmaus road, ending in His blessing them with the breaking of bread. Finally, He is back in the upper room with all the disciples, except Thomas and Judas Iscariot, to bless them with the joy of knowing with certainty that He is risen!
Then, His gift still isn’t done! While He ascends to the Father and receives His reward, to sit at the Father’s right hand, the continuation of His gift is wanting to share His glory and His kingdom with us! We are still recipients of His gifts of blessing every day, both while we are still on this earth and on into eternity. Friday, the gift was unveiled, quite literally! When the temple veil was torn in two, the way to the holy of holies was opened, and all who want to be close to God may draw near unafraid! It is what He wants too. Today, the gift has been given and every moment after continues to give again and again. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Prayer: Hallelujah! Praise to You Oh Lord! With great thanksgiving we shout and sing of your triumph over death and victory over the grave. You are God Most High! You have proven that Love is more powerful than any other force in the universe. Evil cannot overcome it. Love conquers all! Praise You Lord! Praise You Jesus! Praise You Holy Spirit! Amen and amen!
Song: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:3-11
Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us. He has injured us, but He will bind our wounds. After two days He will revive us. On the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord. Let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear! He will come to us like the Winter rains, like the Spring rains that water the earth.” ~Hosea 6:1-3
Have you ever purchased or made a gift for someone you dearly loved, far ahead of the event at which it would be received? Would you often find yourself bursting with anticipation? You knew that what you had to give was the perfect gift. In your mind, you would imagine your loved one’s face at the anticipated pleasure for both of you.
Sometimes, you might be tempted to give hints. Sometimes, you didn’t think you could stand the wait any longer and were tempted to just bring it out and share it now! Then, the wait is over, the event has arrived, and the gift is given. The reality of the joy of the recipient is even better than you had hoped for, making the wait worth all the turmoil.
I think that is Easter from Jesus’ perspective. He and His Father had planned this moment from eternity. Finally, it is here! Jesus is risen triumphant and all the hopelessness and despair can now fall away. He can now give us the complete gift, just as He has always longed to give, a hope for a future with Him! When we consider all that Jesus went through to create this gift of salvation, the humiliation, the ridicule, we are amazed that we could be loved that much.
There was once an African student who knew that his teacher loved seashells. Unfortunately for both of them, the ocean was very far away. The student loved the teacher and the best way that he knew of to show his love was to give him a shell, so he began walking. He walked a long way, but he found beautiful shells and made the return trip home anticipating the joy on his teachers face when he would see the shells that the loving student had collected.
Finally, with great joy, the day arrived when the student was able to bless his teacher. The teacher received the shells with deep gratitude and appreciation. He said to the student: “You walked so far and were away from home for so long!” The student smiled as he said to his teacher: “The walk is part of the gift.”
I know that in reality Jesus is our teacher, but the fact is that His walk was part of His gift to us. And he lived out the principle in the Proverb, “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.” Though He is God, Jesus lived as a man of lowly Spirit! The time, the planning, the suffering and the friendship are also woven into the gift of His life, given sacrificially for us. There is so much depth to this gift that we may never fully grasp its fullness until we are in glory with Him and even then, it may take eternity for us to say, “Thank You,” completely.
Now, on this day, Jesus is fully enjoying the sharing of this gift with those He walked with while on earth. First, He reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene and gives her the blessing of speaking her name. Then, it is reported that He met with Peter and, though we have not been given the privilege of knowing what they talked about, I’m sure that at least part of it involved the blessing of the assurance of forgiveness. Then, He lovingly, even playfully, teases the friends walking on the Emmaus road, ending in His blessing them with the breaking of bread. Finally, He is back in the upper room with all the disciples, except Thomas and Judas Iscariot, to bless them with the joy of knowing with certainty that He is risen!
Then, His gift still isn’t done! While He ascends to the Father and receives His reward, to sit at the Father’s right hand, the continuation of His gift is wanting to share His glory and His kingdom with us! We are still recipients of His gifts of blessing every day, both while we are still on this earth and on into eternity. Friday, the gift was unveiled, quite literally! When the temple veil was torn in two, the way to the holy of holies was opened, and all who want to be close to God may draw near unafraid! It is what He wants too. Today, the gift has been given and every moment after continues to give again and again. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Prayer: Hallelujah! Praise to You Oh Lord! With great thanksgiving we shout and sing of your triumph over death and victory over the grave. You are God Most High! You have proven that Love is more powerful than any other force in the universe. Evil cannot overcome it. Love conquers all! Praise You Lord! Praise You Jesus! Praise You Holy Spirit! Amen and amen!
Song: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
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