John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
This is the Good Friday before Easter. It is time of reflection and rejoicing in what our Savior did for ALL mankind on the Cross. This is not to say we shouldn't remember what Jesus did every day of the year. He lived, He died, He rose again from the grave and He is alive today for those who call Him their Lord and Savior, who have heard His voice calling them and have accepted this call to follow Him and have intimate fellowship with Him and learn from Him. He spoke the truth in love and taught His disciples to do the same. As imperfect as they were, He knew what they could be and what they would be. He saw beyond their imperfections. He loved unconditionally, even His enemies. He loves all of us in the same way. We are told if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. We may not physically see Him but experiencing the love of Jesus we have seen His attributes. He lived a selfless life of sacrifice and forgiveness.
I am again reminded of the father and son I've spoken about this past week and I see many similarities. He received Jesus at an early age and loved the Lord his God with all his heart, soul and mind, as we are called to do. He lived selflessly and as unto the Lord with a pure heart and without deceit. He was a man after God's own heart, exuding the love of Christ in all he did. He ended disputes by asking people to forgive and knew how to say it in love. I am reminded of Matthew 5:9 which says "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." He saw to it his family was raised on the strong foundation of Christ. It sounded like it came naturally to him. He was truly an example for his family and friends, as Christ is to be our example.
What's amazing is his little nine-year-old son was watching and learning from his father. He was, in essence, being discipled. They were best "buds," doing many things together and he was beginning to show his father's attributes. Another similarity? A good friend of the father's who also knows the Lord, admittedly having fallen away for a time, said this man looked beyond his faults, never walking away from their friendship. Another amazing similarity.
I see how these two lived and died and we know that they both will rise again to meet our Savior when He returns. Their many crowns received for what they did on this earth out of pure hearts as unto the Lord will be placed at the feet of Jesus. They will both hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant(s)." For those of us who have an intimate relationship with the Lord, we have the same hope.
What is so perfectly evident is how this family is being strengthened through their relationship with the Lord. It will be a difficult road to travel in days to come, but they will be leaning on the arm of the Lord and calling on Him. Through them the love of Jesus will be seen. And the words of life this family will be able to speak into the lives of others... This sums up what this weekend 2,000 years ago was all about...the result of God first loving us, revealing Himself to us then offering up His life for ours on the cross. This father was not perfect but will be remembered for his love, kindness and gentleness.
1Corinthians 1:1 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for taking this father and son into Your loving arms. I thank You for the lives they have touched in life and even in death. My prayers go out to the family for strength in the midst of tragedy and rest for healing bodies and hearts.
I also thank You that Your eye is on their neighbor who is sturggling with the loss of her daughter and we thank You, Lord, for bringing her son out of his coma. I ask that You bring total healing in his body. Let his mother's heart to be stayed on You that she might be filled with peace. Let Your presence be with them.
Thank You for Your patience for all of us and all our own imperfections.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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