Easter Morning
April 10, 2006
We all want to be awakened and renewed and born again alive in Jesus. It is wonderful to be raised in the newness of life and to again be reborn with Jesus. Without the resurrection we could not die to sin and be set free from it because without the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus there would be no way any of us could say that we have been truly set free from our sin. Praise God for Easter morning and Thank God that we can rise forgiven and redeemed by Him!
The end of the academic year is upon us. While most of our energy is focused on the end of the year tasks, there is much happening in the life of the church. Easter is upon us! This week is Holy Week (the week before Easter) where we relive the final moments of Jesus' life on earth. In order to fully experience the joy of the resurrection of Easter morning, it is my hope that you take some time this week to contemplate the significance of Jesus' final days.
Holy Week Devotional
Isaiah 50:4-9
The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens-
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
Doing the will of God is no easy task! In the year 738 BCE, the prophet Isaiah had a word for the people of Israel living in Jerusalem. It was Isaiah's job to remind those living in the holy city, those that believed they were "in" with God, that they are not exempt from hardships. Sure enough hardships came and the people who called themselves "chosen" suffered and wondered when God would save them again. They sought hope in the midst of despair.
I am sure the prophet Isaiah felt weak in his knees when he was called by God to speak devastating news to the people of Israel. It is never an easy task to be the bearer of bad news, but today's scripture shows how being faithful to the will of God, despite its hardships, will bring us to the other side where we are once again pleasing to God. God has something new and exciting for those who walk in God's ways.
It is not coincidental that this scripture is used during Holy Week. Holy Week, the week before Easter, is a time when we reflect upon the trial and tribulations of Jesus the Christ during the last days of this life. You might have noticed the plethora of worship services around campus/town this week: Palm Sunday, Holy (Maundy) Thursday, and Good Friday. These Lenten services focus on the hardships and the dark times when God seems absent from those who follow God's ways.
Holy Week reminds us of the true struggle between following our will and God's. Jesus prayed for the cup to be removed, but that ultimately God's will be done. This is a question that we also struggle with daily. Within these last few days before Easter, ask yourself, "How much am I going to allow God to lead my life?" Where is God calling you to follow? What must die in you that you might be empowered to walk in God's ways and be born into a new creation Easter morning?
For more information
Rev. Leigh Martin
College Chaplain
Hasty Student Life Center, Room 308
lsm@reinhardt.edu
O: 770.720.5634
F: 770.720.9105
