The Second Day at the Tomb

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So, they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. – (Matthew 27:62-66, NIV)

That day was the day called Preparation Day. The next day, the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that liar was still alive He said, ‘I will rise from death in three days.’ So give the order for the tomb to be guarded well for three days. His followers might come and try to steal the body. Then they could tell everyone that He has risen from death. That lie will be even worse than what they said about Him before.” Pilate said, “Take some soldiers and go guard the tomb the best way you know.” So they all went to the tomb and made it safe from thieves. They did this by sealing the stone in the entrance and putting soldiers there to guard it. – (Matthew 27:62-66, ERV)

 

The somber silence of Saturday, was really not so silent at all. Behind the scenes, those who had accused, tried and crucified Jesus, were now scrambling to make certain that what He had foretold, would not in any way, appear to be the truth. It is almost comical to imagine the Pharisees, chief priests and Pilate as they have their troubled exchanges, as all the while, the disciples are grieving their loss. Stealing the body was likely the furthest thing from their mind. Mary and Martha were waiting to attend to His body, to further treat it properly for burial, but taking His body from the tomb… Eww… What I love most of all about this short passage of scripture, is that Jesus’ accusers took such care to be certain the tomb was guarded and secure from the outside, yet could not control the miracle that was taking place on the inside. Can you imagine the shock and awe that was to come for the soldiers sent to guard the tomb? Soldiers who were to be wary of those who would come near the tomb, would suddenly find themselves face to face with an angel of the Lord, and then the risen Christ himself, less than twenty-four hours later. Jesus was not a liar nor a deceiver. He is the truth, the way and the life. All who choose come to Him, may know love and life everlasting in Him. Though Saturday was somewhat silent, Sunday was on its way!

 

The day in between,

His death and new life;

Silence in waiting,

After sacrifice.

Scrambling soldiers,

Sent to take up guard;

They sealed Jesus’ tomb,

All passage was barred.

Pharisees fearful,

Of what Jesus said;

That after three days,

He’d no more be dead.

No sealing nor guards,

Could ever prevent;

Miracle coming,

Sunday’s big event!

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us Your goodness, grace and power. Thank You that You demonstrated Your incredible love for us as You willingly went to the cross and died the death that should have been ours, so that we could be forgiven and know life in You. Thank You that the grave was not the end. Thank You that hope rises, and that Sunday is coming for all. Forgive us for allowing our sorrows and grief to feel hopeless and helpless in the tomb of our heart. Thank You that You do Your miraculous work from within, so how things appear do not matter in order for You to move. Show us how to love in ways that offer hope in the same way that You do for us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the hope that is ready to rise, each day, because of the third day at the tomb. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

Six Trials and Three Denials to Good Friday

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” – (Luke 23:47, NIV)

The army officer there saw what happened. He praised God, saying, “I know this man was a good man!” – (Luke 23:47, ERV)

When the Roman captain overseeing the crucifixion witnessed all that took place, he was awestruck and glorified God. Acknowledging what they had done, he said, “I have no doubt; we just killed the righteous one.” – (Luke 23:47, TPT)

 

Good Friday. There is seemingly much irony in the name, as nothing that Jesus endured that day was good at all. Six trials, three denials, multiple beatings, abuse, mocking, disregarding, false accusations, a crown of thorns, and hanging on a cross, bearing the sin and shame of the world, all before noon that day. And yet, the things that transpired during the six hours that Friday, as Jesus hung in agony on the cross, transformed the heart and mind of a Roman army officer, whom likely was eager to crucify Jesus, when the whole scene on the hill began. He watched as Jesus forgave the criminals accused on either side of Him; he heard as Jesus told his mother that His dear friend would be her son (to care for her and help provide, as was customary and necessary back then); the officer witnessed Jesus turning down a drink that would have taken the edge off of the pain, and he heard Jesus cry out and commit His spirit into the Lord’s hands. As the darkness surrounded the scene from noon to three, I imagine the magnitude of the man, Jesus, before him, began to really resonate clearly in the heart of the Roman captain. When Jesus took His final breath, other signs and wonders transpired too. That centurion’s heart was forever changed, as he recognized a fraction of the reality of what had just taken place, and that they had indeed crucified the righteous one. In all reality, we ought to have the same sort of life-changing aha moments at the foot of the cross, as we recognize that Jesus hung in our place to extend us His grace so that we might live. All of us, without Jesus, deserve death. We all are sinners in need of mercy and grace. Jesus came, lived and loved, died and rose again, so that we could indeed refer to that horrific, painful, agonizing Friday, as good. May we take time today to kneel at the foot of the cross and give thanks. For God is so good and full of grace that He loved us with His very life.

 

Lord, help us to see,

The truth through fresh eyes;

The weight sacrificed,

Saves us from demise.

The burdens You bore,

Were meant to be ours;

Your love held You there,

Enduring the scars.

There are not the words,

To ever suffice;

To praise and give thanks,

For Your sacrifice.

Today I will choose,

To kneel at the cross;

Give all unto You,

Without You, I’m lost.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to bear the weight for us all. Thank You Jesus, for living in perfect love. Thank You for showing us what it means to endure all things in love, and why that wretched, awful, agonizing Friday was actually good. Forgive us for our lack of attention to the significance of what You did for us. Teach us to look back and recognize all that You endured on our behalf in love. Show us how to embrace the grace that You have freely given, so that we might go forth and love others as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and praise You for the amazing good that came from that Friday so many years ago. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54

Set Down Our Stones

“Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – (John 8:7b, NIV)

“Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” – (John 8:7b, CEB)

“Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned.” – (John 8:7b, VOICE)

 

This particular story recorded in the book of John, is one of the amazing goodness and grace of Jesus. A woman who was caught in sin was brought before Jesus by the Pharisees, as they hoped to trap Jesus and condemn the woman. When Jesus spoke these words to those who accused her, one by one, they dropped their rocks and walked away. Each one knew that they too had sinned and did not qualify as sinless to hurl stones. I imagine we all have certain offenses against us that make our blood boil, however, when we slow down, breathe and reflect, we have to recognize that we are also offenders of others, even if it is without intent to harm. Sometimes it is the words that escape our mouths, other times it is our actions, or often even worse, our inactions, that are among our own sins. It is critical that we deal with our own sin, rather than try to manage that of another. Granted, there are roles that we are called to fill where it is our job to help others navigate a life of obedience, but even then, it is not by throwing stones that we correct, but rather through conversation, consequence and redirection. May we look to the example of Jesus when the offenses of others are brought before us, for not one of us is free from sin.

 

The stones in our hands, 

We must choose set down;

As we all have sinned,

We’ve made our own mound.

A mountain of rocks,

Where our own sins lie;

Each one forgiven,

Love never denied.

Let us do likewise,

Forgive each other;

Demonstrate God’s grace,

To one another.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us incredible examples of Your forgiveness and grace, though they are not deserved. Thank You that we all are in need of mercy and grace, as not one of us is without sin. Forgive us for holding stones in our hands, ready to throw, rather than slowing down to look at our own lives and recognize that we too have reason to receive retribution for our own offenses. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would set down our stones and seek Your strength and grace to extend to those around us. Show us how to love others with the same mercy, grace and goodness that You extend to us in our own spaces of need. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set our stones in Your hands, and receive the goodness that You give in their place to extend to those around us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6

When Dreams May Come

Joseph, son of Jacob, had a clear call upon his life from an early age.  He was given dreams that spoke to his heart, and made him aware that greater things were yet to come.  When he attempted to share what he had seen with his brothers, their jealousy got the best of them, and they plotted to kill him.  Fortunately, among them was a voice of reason, and they were instead, convinced to sell him to a band of merchants traveling past where they were watching their flocks.  (Genesis 37) 

Many of us, at that point, would have questioned the call we had heard on our lives, and perhaps would have sat down in defeat.  Not Joseph.  When he was purchased and placed in the home of Potiphar, an Egyptian official, Joseph served both household and home, as unto the Lord.  “Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.  Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” (Genesis 39:4) God had blessed Joseph and given him success.  However, again, envy placed Joseph in a situation he did not deserve.  Potiphar’s promiscuous wife made advances toward Joseph, yet each time he refused.  Ultimately, she found way to accuse Joseph and get him sent to jail, despite his innocence.

Again, life’s circumstances could have stolen Joseph’s will to walk in the way of the Lord.  Not even prison deterred him.  Before long, Joseph had found favor in the eyes of the prison warden, and was made responsible for all that was done there.  God continued to prove Himself faithful, even in seemingly unfortunate circumstance.

God continued to bless Joseph’s faithfulness, and granted him the interpretation of dreams.  Ultimately, his ability to hear God, granted him the second highest position in all of Egypt.  Though it had been a long and weary road, the Lord had been faithful to remain present, and Joseph never doubted nor questioned His presence. (Genesis 40 and 41)

When dreams come to light,

let heart not be swayed;

His promise remains,

no matter delay.

Trust He is faithful,

despite where you are;

for He is present,

even when life’s hard.

Hold onto the hope,

that shall come to pass;

for what He has said,

will forever last.

Always He is good,

even when life’s not;

forge forward in faith,

with all that you’ve got.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the examples that You have given us in Your word.  Thank You that despite overwhelming circumstances – situations that would have broken most of us – You show us how You are forever faithful; that we must remain steadfast in our trust in You.  Thank You that You alone can take something so terrible as an individual sold into slavery by his own brothers, and turn it into a man of mighty faith who leads a nation in how to overcome a horrendous famine successfully.  Thank You that You can work ALL things for good for those who love You, even when it appears there is no possible good to be found.  Forgive us for our fears and our lack of long-suffering, and help us to faithfully endure all things, trusting above all – that You are with us and You are good.  May we love as we are loved by You, and may many come to know the saving grace that only You can give.  Let lives be changed and hearts be made new in You.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

No Condemnation in Christ

Condemnation is to judge and deem one guilty. To feel condemned, whether guilty or not, is a bit unbearable. Once, when I was likely in late elementary school, my mom, sister and I, had stopped at a grocery store in a not-so-nice neighborhood. I was carrying a small purse, and for some reason, my sister and I had wandered to a separate aisle from my mom. Gum and lip gloss were the only elements to grace my petite purse, and Megan asked me for some gum. Without regard for our location, I opened my purse and pulled out a stick of gum for her. Before I could zip my little bag closed again, a store worker came up to me with a very angry look on his face, and accused me of stealing from his store. Either my look of sheer horror at his suggestion, or my offer for him to search my immediately outstretched belongings, either way, suddenly his judgment was repealed and he turned and walked away; leaving two girls who had not even entertained such a thought, shaking in their shoes.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – (Romans 8:1)

Though I was not guilty then, and was accused, every day of my existence I fall short and am deserving of His judgment. However, because Christ lives in me, I am seen through His covering, and called clean; not guilty, and set free from the death that I deserve. I cannot even begin to fathom what it would be like to face our final day on our own. Without Christ, the penalty is death. In Christ, we have eternal hope, and the promise of His presence, always.

In Christ we’ll stand,

for we are free;

He paid the price,

we’ve been redeemed.

No more condemned,

the verdict’s clear;

death is no more,

in Christ a fear.

For He is ours,

and we are His;

covered children,

His righteousness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we are deemed NOT GUILTY, as You took all of our guilt upon Yourself and already paid the price. Thank You that in You, we are freed from sin and death, and have the power of Your Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Forgive us for submitting to sin, and help us to be more than conquerors in You. Teach us how to trust in Your power living in us, to help us overcome any temptation that comes our way. Help us to live out lives of love that give grace that guides many unto You. Let those who are looking, find eternal hope in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

The Saga of that Somber Day

Agony

Withdrawal

Prayer

Disappointment

Prayer

Frustration

Submission

Betrayal

Healing

Denied, denied, denied

Mocked

Beaten

Insulted

Questioned.  Answered.

Accused

Questioned.  Replied.

Justified

Slandered

Sent away

Questioned

Accused

Ridiculed

Robed

Returned

Presented

Exchanged

Sentenced

Surrendered

Burdened

Crucified

Mocked

Defended

Believed

Accepted

Taunted

Forgave

Darkness

Torn

Committed

Received

Finished.

(Responding to Luke 22:47-23:46)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only Son for us.  Jesus, thank You for enduring the excruciating

image by 123rf.com

separation and the weight of the world’s sin, for our sake.  Thank You that the story does not end in darkness and death, but we look forward to Sunday, knowing that You alone defeated death and rose again, so that we might come to know new life.  May we recognize the gravity of this day, yet not lose sight of the joy and hope held in You, our overcoming One.  May many come to know You this week, as so many are willing to walk into church and will hear Your word.  Let Your love, light and hope be heard, held and received.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present