It’s Easter and the world is a mess.

It’s Easter and the world is a mess.

People all over the world are hating, killing, grumbling and complaining, striving to control, rule, and dictate what happens. Religious freedom is disappearing. Many of us may feel like we would have more rights if we were evil. If you want respect try being bad, corrupt, attack “caring” as weak and “sacrifice” as self-serving. Demand, be mean and belittle those who are patient and kind. When someone disagrees with you call them a raciest, religious, un-enlightened and intolerant. Be the first to attack, to belittle, to accuse and to threaten violence or injustice. Don’t take time to get the facts or confirm the truth, respond, act and make sure you get what you want. Such seems to be the world we live in.

This is the type of world that Jesus came into. Political agendas, terrorism and aggression are not new. Remember what happen to the city where Jesus was born. What political powers did to children so that the opposition might be eliminated before it starts. Think about how the people of God treated the Son of God. Remember how Rome, gentiles, and foreign powers all joined in the destruction of the homeless man who led a kingdom not of this world.

Good News

Into the darkness came the Son of God, showing humanity that while they appeared to be alive, they were actually dead. “Walking dead” is a term that can be applied to both the unredeemed and the redeemed. Those who are separated from God are dead in sin, deceived about life and living. Those who are the redeemed are living sacrifices, people who give up their life so that the risen Lord might fully reign in them and through them.  This world is full of dead men walking. Some walk in death toward eternal life, others stagger through life with no eternal hope, being broken in spirit.

The reason I am writing this is that many who follow Jesus are losing sight of life, of hope and of eternity. Attacked by this world, they feel rejected. Confused by a lack of authentic spiritual activity they cling onto believing, not expecting things to get better. Men and women of the faith are hanging on. Pressured by fear on one side and wrestling with demons on the other, they wonder what is right, what is true, what is eternal.

I want to encourage you to have a conversation with Jesus, on the cross. Find a place to go and be alone for a while. Ask God to anoint your imagination and open the eyes of your heart and have a talk with Jesus as He hangs on the cross – suffering.  Tell the Lamb of God what you feel. Listen to the sounds of those around you who are belittling Him, see the blood running down to the ground. Listen to the comments of the soldiers, the priest, the disciples, mom.

If you have a need to, talk to Jesus about the passage below. What does this mean for you, your life, your hopes and dreams? Look, listen, feel the moment, embrace this conversation with you heart. In the end you will have talked to the King about His kingdom. You can step out of time and join Him, understand Him, be touched by Him and touch Him. Jesus is alive. Alive for us to see, hear, talk to and listen to. Today, this holy day, and the next, give it a try.

It’s Easter and the world a mess, but be of good cheer, He has overcome the world.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 Mat 5:3-12 NASB