Peace

For those of you who didn't see my post yesterday, go read that and come back to this.

Emptiness. My lord is dead. Suddenly the women disciples of Jesus ran into the room they were staying. "The body of Jesus is gone!" Peter was outrun by John, but entered the tomb first. The clothes were folded and the body gone. Grave robbers.

Again, I am with Peter here. A glimmer of hope and yet this could be bad too. What if those who stole the body want to harm us as well? Safety is the next logical option.

I imagine Peter and the disciples were restless and confused waiting in that dark room. Wondering what to do next. Wondering if each set of footsteps outside may try to knock down the locked door and arrest them. Watching as the candles slowly burned ou-

Suddenly JESUS! He appeared out of thin air. I don't know what they did, but I would have fallen completely over. The man who I watched die is alive! Is this real? Will he speak to me after all I have done? After denying him? And yet he says to me, "Peace be with you." And so I am at peace.

He rose from the grave so that you can too. Nothing can hold you back with Jesus on your side. Not even death on a cross.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Peter and the Crucifixion

In light of Holy Week I have been reflecting on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Seeing as Easter is not until tomorrow, let us focus on the crucifixion. At a Maundy Thursday service I listen to the story being read from the gospel of Matthew. He went from celebrating Passover with his disciples to dying a humiliating, torturous, painful death on a sinner's cross.

Who would I have been in that story? Maybe one of the Jews screaming for crucifixion for the "liar". Maybe one of the women mourning for Jesus. Honestly though, I think I would have been Peter. Afraid, confused, and terrified.

My instinct would have been the same as his when the guards came to take Jesus away. "What do I do now? They are about to take my Lord! I must defend him." Then pull out my weapon and start swinging. The fact that he only got the ear of the slave is a good indication of his dazed state due to pure confusion. I would have been just as confused. I would have wanted to go down swinging.

After that? Surely, I would think, I would never deny my Lord. But when this man who healed the sick, cast out demons, and calmed the seas is now on a cross? Suddenly nothing makes sense. I am terrified. Have I been lied to for three years? Would they kill me because I am his disciple? I think I would have lied too. And in turn, when I heard the rooster, I would have wept.

I get Peter. We are on the same page. Confusion, desperation, and pure terror. What now? What next? My Savior is dead.

You only live once

There are two things you need to know about "YOLO"
1) It means "You Only Live Once"
2) It is the most overused... thing... acronym... whatever.

I am currently on a school trip with a bunch of other nerds from my school.  This trip entailed a 5 hour drive. You stick 7 college kids in a van for 5 hours and things get interesting. In this case: Everything anyone says is followed by yolo. "Dude that's yolo-ing there!" [Yeah, apparently it's a verb now] "Nah... that's not yolo. That's just dumb."

So why do I bring this up? To talk about how goofy my friends are? Not really.

Here lately I've been contemplating the long held idea to live life to the fullest and enjoy it.  For some, they say drink, smoke, sleep around. If that's what you enjoy, do it. I am not endorsing this; however, let's dig into this a little.

Put aside morals and ethics for one moment.  One thing people of such a mindset do great is partaking in things they enjoy.  They do what they believe will allow them to live a full life.

So, why do many of us as Christians live so safely? Why take the easy way out? Jesus himself said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Wake up, guys! You got God on your side! Enjoy your life! Am I saying be crazy and party? Absolutely not. But enjoy the few years on earth God has given you! Give your best to God in everything you do and do it with  joy.  Be happy. Smile. Take a chance or two. And I can't believing I'm saying it.... but yolo. You only live once with your few years God has given you. Enjoy them!

Hey You

Hey you -
You with the hurt behind that beautiful smile. God loves you so much.

Hey you -
You with the addiction you try to hide - or even hide behind. God loves you like crazy.

Hey you -
You with the unique personality hiding behind the boxes you put yourself in. God loves YOU.

Hey you -
You with the belief that your sin is too much for God. God loves you too.

Hey you -
You with the fear of admitting your faith for fear of what others might say. God still loves you.

Hey you -
God loves you.