Thoughts on Easter

Lately, I have had my eyes set on worldly things, paying bills, changing apartments, job stuff, and all the rest. I have been letting the worries and cares of the world control my outlook on life, rather then viewing life in light of the cross. Somehow, I’m just now realizing this. But what brought on the realization was so sweet. Two evenings ago, Good Friday, in our living room, Jeff led us in reading the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and then he played his guitar and we sang songs after each Gospel account. My favorite song was “Not What My Hands Have Done”. At the second reading, from Matthew, my heart welled up with emotion and I began to tear up as we read about Jesus being mocked and scorned, spit at and reviled. I could almost feel the pain and agony and even fear He must have been feeling as He prayed to God, His Father, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). I think Matthew 27:27-31 hit me the most, when they openly mocked His being a king and made a crown of thorns and gave him a reed for his right hand and bowed down before Him saying “Hail, King of the Jews!”. He was only with them for a short time, but they spent most of that time accusing Him and plotting to kill Him and in the end, mocking Him and putting Him to death. And, in contrast, it makes me think of Mary, who poured her expensive oil at His feet and sat, face upturned, listening intently to all that Jesus said. Somehow, deep down, she knew she couldn’t take this time for granted because the time was short. Yet Martha was concerned with the cares of the world and even demanded that Jesus tell Mary to help her. Yet this was Jesus’ reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).  And in another account in John, when Mary pours the oil to anoint Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair, Judas Iscariot asks why the oil was not instead sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus replies, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” In both these responses to Mary’s actions (Martha’s and Judas’) Jesus rebukes them, for instead of being interested in the things of the kingdom which are everlasting and cannot be taken away, they were caught up in worldly things, temporary things, things which moth and rust destroy (Matthew 6:19). How often are we like this? We want the latest trends in clothing, home decor, classy vehicles. We spend countless hours watching sports, keeping up with the scores, making sure we catch every part of that all-important game. We spend time on our twitter, Facebook, and blogs making our lives look like fairy tales to seek affirmation from others. We search Pinterest for our dream homes, decor, crafty things we can do to make our homes fancy while simultaneously receiving admiration for our home making abilities. We strive for good grades in school so we can go to college so we can get a good job so we can make lots of money. We even may have seemingly good intentions like giving some away to the poor. But in the end, where are our sights? On ourselves, our well-being. “Jesus, if you’d just give me what I want, then I’ll be happy.” But that is NOT what is important. That is not the better portion. Christ came to earth, suffered ridicule, mockery, slander, agony, and death for you. For me. And yet how often do we remember that? How often do we sit at Jesus’ feet, face upturned, ready to listen and learn from His teaching? Our time here is short. How are we using it? Are we using it to store up earthly things which moth and rust destroy and that cannot go with us, or are we choosing the better portion and seeking the Lord while He is near? We have access to Him now through Christ’s death and resurrection and yet we spend our time on frivolous chores and activities while all along He is beckoning us, “Stop a while. Sit at my feet. You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Choose the good portion which will not be taken away from you. I know what you need. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Luke 10:42 & Matthew 6:33). Let’s stop setting our eyes on earthly things and instead set our eyes on Christ. Let’s practice here on earth what we’ll be doing for eternity: spending our time in the presence of God, learning from Him, adoring Him, and praising Him for He alone is worthy. Let us remember what Christ has done for us. Let us choose the better portion while we are here, and not wait until we die to set our eyes on His Kingdom. 

“Not What My Hands Have Done”

"Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;

Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.

Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;

Not all my prayers, and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin

Thy blood alone O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.

Thy love to me O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee

Can rid me of this dark unrest, and set my spirit free!

Thy grace alone, O God, to me can pardon speak;

Thy power alone O Son of God, can this sore bondage break.

No other work, save Thine, no other blood will do,

No strength save that, which is divine, can bear me safely through.

I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;

And with unfaltering lip and heart, I call this Savior mine.

His cross dispels each doubt, I bury in His tomb

My unbelief, and all my fear, each lingering shade of gloom.

I praise the God of grace, I trust His truth and might

He calls me His, I call Him mine, my God, my joy, my light

’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives

I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives!"