Clay in the Hands

The last couple of weeks have taken me out of my routine. Between being under the weather, attending a pastor’s conference in Waco and having the opportunity to go see our grand baby (who is perfect by the way), nothing about my normal day to day has been “normal.” And honestly, I think we all need the disruptions from time to time to shake us awake.

This disrupted schedule has certainly sidelined sharing here and for that I apologize. But today, let’s focus our attention on what is coming in two weeks. On April 9th, we will observe Easter. This day is the day on our calendars when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the life his resurrection offers us. In one act of divine mystery, Jesus conquered sin and won the victory over death.

I often say, as powerful and eternally life changing the empty tomb is for us, it would not exist had it not been for the cross event. And it is also true that without the empty tomb, the cross event would have been just another gruesome and horrifying execution. The two events are inseparable.

So here is my challenge as we move through the next 14 days: Pause at the cross. We have a tendency to rush to the empty tomb just as the disciples did that resurrection morning. We want to be reminded that Jesus is alive. We want to celebrate the victory. It’s difficult to pause at the foot of the cross and look at the torture and pain. Even standing at the cross, we have to force ourselves to look up and see the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

But this Easter season, pause at the cross. As much as you want to rush to the empty tomb, take time to stop and think about what Jesus has done for you.

His willing sacrifice was an act of self-less love and that love changes everything.