Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. I trust that you rested well, and that you are ready for this Spring day, complete with the showers that are transforming our landscape from drab to green. Crocuses are in full bloom, and daffodils are popping up all over, ready to color the landscape in their perky yellow. As we go out into the world, bent on our daily tasks and daily living, may we find open doors for mission and ministry. The places where we work daily may become places of trials and great challenges. May the Lord infuse us with the power of the Cross to demonstrate His grace and His love.
We read in Matthew 5 that the Lord declared, "You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men that they may glorify your Father, which is in Heaven." As we journey through the season of Lent, let us ponder anew that which Jesus, our Lord, has demonstrated at the Cross.
Praise the Lord for the way He transformed the Cross from a symbol of sorrow, disgrace, suffering, and shame into a symbol of victory and grace. One of the most powerful books ever written is "The Pilgrim's Progress ", by John Bunyan. This is a vivid account of a Christian's pilgrimage from this world to the celestial city, new Jerusalem. Along his way, Christian sees a highway fenced by a wall called Salvation. He runs towards it with some trouble due to the burden on his back, and finally comes to a cross and sepulcher. Upon his arrival there, his burden miraculously falls off his back. Upon this, Christian cries with relief and joy that "He hath given me... life by his death". Three "Shining Ones" approach and give him new clothes and a roll with a seal which is his pass to enter the Celestial City. The Three inform him that his sins are forgiven, and urge him to continue his journey.
John Bunyan writes, "Now I saw in my dream, that ... He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending, and upon that place stood a Cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more." When God releases us of our guilt and burden we are as those that leap for joy.Then was Christian glad and lightsome, he said, with a merry heart, "He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death." Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder, for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden.
Praise the Lord for the mystery and wonder that surround the Cross where the Prince of Glory died.
In Him,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-KrIK0s1AQ
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