Good Monday morning...
… and I am staring into the week before us, recognizing that we call this “Holy Week” because of the events in Jesus’ life leading up to His arrest, mock trials and conviction, crucifixion-death, burial, and resurrection… the essence of the gospel of Jesus the Christ. I am also deeply aware of my own struggle with doing anything different this week. Believing, on the one hand, that everyday I live is marked by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and on the other, that I am being disrespectful of the fourth commandment by not doing anything different.
For example, this year I do not have an “Easter message” for this Sunday, but in the way it has worked out, I will be teaching from Romans 8:28-39 on God’s Steadfast Love. Hmmm, could there be anything more related to the Easter story than God’s love expressed in Paul’s letter to the Romans, especially in chapter 8? My guilt for not engaging enough in the setting apart of Easter Sunday is up against the hand of God in honoring the systematic teaching of His Word. Is it dumb luck or His will?
While I want to let myself off the hook on this, I’d better struggle a little more with my dilemma. When I say, “everyday I live is marked by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection” I need to check my heart… everyday… and make sure that I am in contact with my Savior and Lord through prayer, mission, and faithful engagement with the people in my life. In other words, am I connected to His work in my life? When I consider my daily routines, I am on the right track. So, why the dilemma?
Perhaps I struggle with keeping the Sabbath holy because I am entrenched in the battle of being Christ-like in our world that is heading rapidly in the opposite direction. Churchgoing is not in vogue here or in most of the world, but I wonder if staying the course by teaching the Word isn’t the faithfulness He is looking for. I will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this Sunday, like I do every Sunday, with the church I love and belong to… and I will teach from Romans 8 on God’s steadfast love, as He orchestrated months ago when the preaching schedule was laid out for the book of Romans… lucky me!
For His glory,
Pastor Mike