This is our final full day in Atlanta. The highlight was lunch with our friends Billy and Carol Roberts. It has probably been three years since all four of us have been together.

This evening Mason has a baseball game, so we are looking forward to that event. We return home tomorrow in time to join my family to celebrate my mom’s 90th birthday.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,  and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:28-31

Often we focus on Jesus final words on the cross, but His final words to His disciples were spoken as He ascended back to heaven. Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts all provide details about what we call “the great commission.”

This was a time when Jesus earthly presence was ending, but the disciples earthly ministry was preparing to step into high gear. Jesus gave them the charge to make disciples, baptize and to pass on to others what Jesus had taught and commanded them.

This was their charge; this was their calling. This responsibility would define their lives and determine their future and destiny. To make them successful in their task Jesus, told them to “wait.” They were to go, but before going, they were to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had foretold and promised this to His Disciples during His earthly ministry. Like many things, they undoubtedly failed to understand what all of this meant, but they would find out. The call they were receiving, the task to which they were called, would be not fulfilled by their own charisma, intellect or ability. It would come through Christ’s presence and the empowering of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Jesus told them certain “signs” would follow those who believe in Him and follow Him. (Mark 16) This required faith on the part of the Disciples to move out, to act and believe for the Lord to accomplish those “confirming signs.” Jesus did not give them a detailed action plan or road map. Other than the instructions to “wait in Jerusalem” He only promised, “…I will be with you until the end of the age.”

As Jesus ascend into to heaven, angels appeared. Just as angels were present at His birth and resurrection, here they are at His ascension to heaven. At His birth they announced, “He is born.” At the tomb they announced, “He is risen” and at His ascension they announced, “He will return again!” I believe we can count on their word coming true!

For us today, it is important to remember that the work that is done for the Lord, is a “spiritual work.” That reminds us it is not accomplished by human abilities, but through faith, obedience and trusting the Lord to be with us, empower us and direct us in all that we do. Two thousand years of history and the call is the same, the promise of His presence and power is still true and the hope of Christ’s return is as real.

We have had a good Easter Sunday in sunny Georgia. This morning we attended Restoration Church, where Nathan’s father, Don Munn serves as the Senior Pastor. It was good to see many folks that have become familiar with us over the years and have prayed for me during that past two years of my physical recovery. (Our family picture with Don and Linda Munn)

We have a family gathering later this evening at Nathan and Stephanie’s home and are looking forward to that time together. My somewhat normal schedule has been thrown off with our travel schedule and visit, but I’m glad that I am doing well and able to navigate a variety of terrains. I went with Nathan, Mason and Carter to practice baseball yesterday. I even tried to hit a few ground balls to the boys as Nathan caught throws at first base. Nathan was even willing to pitch to me, and allow me to see if I could stand up long enough to hit a ball. I did without falling down!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Don’t be alarmed,” he [the angel] said. “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here—he has been raised! Look, here is the place where he was placed….So they went out and ran from the tomb, distressed and terrified. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Mark 16:6,8

As glorious the news of Jesus’ resurrection was, it was still hard to comprehend. It was somewhere between, “it can’t be true” to “it’s too good to be true.” The Disciples didn’t take the word of the women, so Peter and John raced to the tomb to check it out for themselves. Then the rest of the Disciples really didn’t believe Peter and John until Jesus appeared to all of them. And then Thomas didn’t believe because he wasn’t with the rest when Jesus appeared to them. So, Jesus made a re-appearance to single out Thomas and prove He was risen indeed.

As Jesus to appear to His disciples and gave them proof that He was alive, we see Him making comments such as: “why are you so slow to believe…” (Luke 24:25)  “Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.” (Mark 16:14) “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. (Luke 24:38,39) “Peace be with you.” Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” (John 20:27)

Once again, although Jesus had told the Disciples about His death and resurrection during His final days with them; when it happened this is something they could not comprehend. Even though they had seen Jesus raise people from the dead, who could raise Jesus from the dead? Who is powerful enough to raise themselves from the dead? The answer is found in the consistent message of Paul the Apostle, “God has raise Him [Jesus] from the dead.” (Acts 10:40; Acts 13:30; Romans 10:9)

Jesus raised people from the dead, but they eventually did die. We see that some were taken to heaven without dying. The Bible says that, “Enoch walked with God and was not for God took Him.” (Genesis 5:24) We read of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11) But we see Jesus resurrected from the dead and then ascending to heaven in a cloud as the multitude watched.

Such is the glory and miracle of Jesus life, death and resurrection. But the resurrection was critical event needed to secure our salvation and give us victory over death. “who [Jesus] through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4)

The women came to the empty tomb and believed. Jesus appeared to His disciples, showed Himself to them and they believed. He offered proofs of His resurrection for forty days, and many believed. However, Jesus asserted, “…blessed are those who believe but have not seen.” (John 20:29) For the Disciples seeing was believing, for us believing is receiving all the provisions that Christ lived, died and rose from the dead to provide.

If Christ had not risen, He would be just a great teacher and miracle worker, like prophets of old. His death would have just been a martyrs death, another unjust act by an unjust world. But His resurrection changes everything. And believing in Him changes everything for us. And it makes for us the unbelievable (our own victory over death)..something to believe!

Rejoice….He is risen! He is risen indeed!

This morning we enjoyed a breakfast at Cracker Barrel. A different experience than Colorado! I believe it may have been my first “steak and eggs” breakfast, along with biscuits and gravy and hash brown casserole, of course. (I did share with Debbie although I had 75% of the steak.)

My grandson’s gave me an orientation to their NBA 10 PlayStation video game. I think I am 1-2 so far in games played. We also spent some time outside with the real basketball hoop. Both boys are doing quite well for their age.

I took a tour around Stephanie and Nathan’s expansive backyard. I hiked (for me) up to their fire pit and we got a picture as Nathan served as the photographer.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…help us, Lord, as you have promised….You are Israel’s only hope; you are the one who saves us from disaster. Why are you like a stranger in our land, like a traveler who stays for only one night? ”      Jeremiah 14:8

These words of the Prophet Jeremiah, are appropriate words for the time between Jesus death on the cross and His resurrection. While these words are not “messianic” in nature, they certainly would reflect the anguish, grief and confusion of Jesus followers as He died on the cross.

As I was watching, “The Passion of the Christ” recently, I was struck by the uncertainty of the final outcome that Jesus’ followers were faced with. Both Pilate and Herod did not find Jesus guilty of any charges worthy of death. Pilates’s plan was to have Jesus whipped and then released. The entire process was long and drug out with a great deal of uncertainty as to what would happen.

When it became evident that Jesus was sentenced to death, reality began to set in and when He died all hope was gone. Until He breathed His least breathe even those who weren’t followers thought that perhaps, “Elijah would come to save Him.” (Matt. 27:49)

Even though Jesus attempted to prepare His followers about His death and resurrection, when it happened those words seemed a world away. Grief, sadness, disappointment and despair set in. When Jesus appeared to the travelers from Emmaus, after His resurrection, their words give insight into the feelings of many, “…we had hoped that he would be the one who was going to set Israel free!”   (Luke 24:21) This was a time of fear and uncertainty for the Disciples as to their future.  “…..the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities.” (John 20:19)

Grief is a natural response to loss and that is exactly what the Disciples and Jesus’ followers were experiencing. Grief creates sadness, captivates our thoughts and reactions and causes anxiety about the future. God has made us to know and experience grief. It isn’t pleasant, but it is necessary and it is healthy. Scripture declares of Jesus, “…He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief…” (Isaiah 53:3)

Jesus knew the experience of grief from the loss of life. The shortest verse in the Bible is, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) It takes place as Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus knew the grief of rejection and misunderstanding from those who followed as well as those who opposed Him.

We never welcome grief into our lives, but when it comes we can be comforted in know that the Lord who is with us always, knows how to comfort and guide us through the days ahead. This human experience can make the hope of heaven more grand as it declares, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)

For now grief, like the Disciples, stops us in our tracks. It causes us to ponder, reflect and evaluate….and to be ready for tomorrow. Because tomorrow may just be the good news we need!

We arrived at Stephanie’s home in the early morning hours. Nathan made the trip to the airport to pick us up. We have enjoyed getting acquainted with their new home. They have already made some significant improvements and are planning on painting the outside next.

Today, I hung around the house with Mason and Carter, while Debbie, Stephanie and Linda (Nathan’s mom) took a tour of some flower gardens. The boys have been helpful in my navigating the stairs between the downstairs and main level of the house.

Tonight we attend the Good Friday service at Revolution Church, where Stephanie and Nathan attend.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” Luke 23:45-47

Jesus’ crucifixion reveals some interesting personal circumstances. We can observe Jesus’ agony in the Garden; the betrayal of Judas; Peter’s cutting off the servant’s ear and then his denial of Christ; Pilot as the political official caught between his conscience and the crowd and many more.

I’m  not sure what a sacrificial Passover lamb cost in Jesus day, but we know that Judas put the price on Jesus’ head at 30 pieces of silver; the price of a common slave. Later we would see the crowd trade Jesus for Barabbas, a murderer and one who was proven guilty of insurrection; the very charge of which Jesus was falsely accused.

I was recently visiting with the President of CSU and he mentioned someone he knows who has the job of determining the value  of someone’s life for insurance purposes. That is an ominous task, but Judas never gave it a second thought.

What about you?  Does your value of Jesus reflect the approach of Judas or that which we see in  the parable of the “Pearl of Great Price”? (Matt. 13:46,46) Good Friday is good when…we understand the value of Christ and His sacrifice for us and respond accordingly in devotion and worship.

The crucifixion of Jesus was brutal and gruesome. What He endured, He did for us, dying for us, for our sin. The prophet said it well, “…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Good Friday is good…when we understand that Jesus suffered the consequences and punishment of our sin. We have true wholeness through Him.

Paul the Apostles also referred to the sacrifice of Christ for us when he said,  “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

On the cross a grand and Holy exchange takes place. Christ takes our sin, we receive His righteousness. Although we are not perfect as human beings who are prone to sin, in Christ, God see us as right in His eyes. Good Friday is good when… we understand the position we have been afforded through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Finally consider the assessment of others on Jesus life. Pilate said, “I find no fault in Him.” The thief on the cross said, “…we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:41) The centurion at the foot of cross said,  “Surely this was a righteous man.”   (Luke 23:47) Good Friday is good when…we declare, worship and affirm Jesus for who He is, not what we want Him to be. There were those who said, “prove your are the Son of God by saving yourself.” But if Jesus saved Himself, He could not save us. In laying down His life, He calls us to adjust our lives to Him instead of us demanding that He adjust His life to ours.

The suffering and crucifixion was not something, “good.” But out of this day something good and life changing comes to us today. The darkest day for Jesus, becomes the brightest day for us when we allow why He died to become the reason we live.

I am at the airport, attempting to write on my IPad which is a new experience. After some frustrating technical issues, it seems I have made it….enduring to the end.

Debbie and I are on a late flight to Atlanta to spend Easter weekend with Stephanie and her family. This our first trip together to Atlanta in about three years.

While we sitting at a restaurant here at the airport, I was working on Debbie’s computer and my IPad trying to make progress on my blog. We decided to head to the gate and finish up here. As we asked for our check the waiter said, “someone already took care of it long ago!”

I recall those types of acts being called “secret acts of kindness” opposed to random acts we hear of often. The issue is when they happen in this way, the recipients have no one to thank but God. So we say, “thank you Lord for this unexpected blessing, and reward in your love and generosity our anonymous benefactor.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…”…Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks…and said, “this is my body.” The he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and handed it to them; and they all drank from it. Jesus, said, “This is my blood which is poured out for many, which seals God’S covenant….”  Mark 14:22-24

The Passover was the annual ritual that reminded the Jews of the Lord’s final judgment and deliverance from Egypt. A lamb was killed, the blood applied to the door posts of the home, and the “death angel” “passed over” those homes and they were saved from God’s judgment.

As Jesus gathered with His disciples for this “one last Passover meal” it also signaled the beginning of a new covenant The Lord was making with mankind to avoid God’s judgment.

Jesus was the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” As He establishes this new covenant with the “once for all” sacrifice of Himself, He tells the disciples, “this bread is my body…this cup is my blood.” When offering sacrifice under the old covenant, the one offering the sacrifice, also partook of some of the sacrifice. This made a point of identification and reflected the understanding that this animal is dying in my place. With that part of their history in view, Jesus institutes the “Lord’s Supper.”

The Lord’s Supper is a pivotal event. It looks to the past to the Old Covenant, it speaks of Christ’s sacrifice, and it reminds us of our future.

Jesus told His disciples, “I will never drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.” Paul would speak of “communion” and say, “…as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show the Lord’s death, until He comes.”

Jesus died for us, in our place. He died, that we might live and have the promise of a glorious future in His presence. We are reminded to serve as He served, to honor the Father as he did, to love others as He loved and to look forward to and hasten the day of His return.

Just as the “Last Supper” was a fulfillment of what was foreshadowed in the Old Testament, the Lord’s Supper is a foreshadow of what will be fulfilled on day in heaven. That should fill us with gratitude and hope.

We leave tomorrow, so we are beginning to get ready for our trip to Atlanta. We don’t leave until tomorrow night and the weather is calling for snow. It could be an interesting day.

We had some work done at our house today. “Mud jacking” some concrete on our patio and front sidewalk. It certainly is nice to get some problem areas addressed more easily than tearing our and replacing.

I had a good work out at the fitness center. I actually got in 10 minutes on the treadmill and 40 minutes on the exercise bike. After that workout and lifting some weights, the massage this afternoon was even more appreciated.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a fine and beautiful thing for me.  You will always have poor people with you, and any time you want to, you can help them. But you will not always have me.  She did what she could; she poured perfume on my body to prepare it ahead of time for burial.  Now, I assure you that wherever the gospel is preached all over the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”  Mark 14:6-9

During this Holy Week, Jesus stayed in Bethany and would travel to Jerusalem during the day. During one of the meals at the home where He stayed a woman (John identifies her as Mary), came and broke a jar of nard (spikenard) and began to pour it on Jesus head.

This was an aromatic and expensive perfume. Some believe it represented as much as 300 days of pay for a common worker. It would have been part of a woman’s dowry and been considered something very personal as well as costly.

We don’t know the specific motivation of Mary. But Jesus said,  “she poured perfume on my body to prepare it ahead of time for burial.” We know that in the rush to bury Jesus before the Sabbath, His body was not properly prepared. That is what the women came to the tomb to do on Sunday. Mary’s act was a demonstration of her love for Jesus. It made the statement that, “no expense is too great to show our devotion to Christ.”

Judas and some others responded not in admiration of the devotion, but in jealousy and a pious attitude of, “this is a waste…it could have been sold and given to the poor.” This sounded noble, but John indicates it revealed guilt  in Judas who had been embezzling funds from the common purse of Jesus and the Disciples. Selfishness is always revealed in the presence of generosity and devotion.

Jesus then makes a pretty bold statement, “…wherever the gospel is preached all over the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”  This act of devotion would challenge others, even to our day, about love for Jesus and sacrifice in our worship and service. How long would this fragrance remain on Jesus? We can be assured that, for some time following this event, the fragrance on Jesus would remind people of this act of worship. Devotion to Jesus, is readily seen by others.

Last Wednesday, when Pastor Brent Cunningham, was reviewing this event in Jesus’ life, he observed that “the most precious gift in life are those who stay with you, when life becomes difficult.” I thought he shared that just for me. That is something that I have learned over the last almost two years. It is always encouraging to hear people say that they are still praying for me and monitoring my progress. I’m sure if the disciples realized all that would happen this fateful week, that they may have approached things different. But that is the lesson we all learn, from “hind sight.”

As we value life and relationships; let’s make sure that Jesus remains at the center of our worship, devotion and sacrifice. When life comes to an end, no one will regret having done too much for Jesus and the gospel.