The flurry of excitement and activity.
Cursing. Spitting. Angry shouting.
Rushing. Pushing. Tension so thick you grip it with your fingers.
1,983 years ago a 33-year old man was tried unfairly and sentenced to death by public opinion. A perfect life given to die for the very people who crucified it. Through the death of one, life is given to many. What beauty is this?!
Today, there is “stuff” in us that must die: selfish ambition, pride, anxiety, depression, lust, hate… and the list goes on. For some of us, we simply must die to our own will, which refuses to let anyone pay the price that we owe; striving for perfection, we seek to do life our own way. But this is not the way.
For others, we’ve yielded, but we’ve allowed a similar flurry of excitement and activity to distract us from our first love. We’ve neglected the one who rejected all so that we might know Him and be with Him.
Stop.
Quiet yourself. Be still and know… A death that brings resurrection.
Remember that when the crowds dispersed and Christ was alone, laid three days in the darkness the tomb and the agony of hell, that His death brought life and hope, once and for all. And it is through this same death and resurrection that we are called to die, through absolute surrender and baptism, so that all that rushes and curses within us would be calmed, healed and restored.
We serve a King who died for his subjects. We serve a King who doesn’t know what it means to stay dead, but laughs in the face of death. He is risen and calls to all who listen, that He might resurrect both their souls as well as every aspect of their lives. He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He is risen and He will soon return!
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a] a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.