Photo credit: Peachtree United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Kathy Fletcher, Director of Children’s and Youth Music
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
Had it been one of us defeating evil and resurrecting from the dead, we would have happy-danced and strutted all the way to downtown Jerusalem. Had we found a football, we would have spiked it. On a baseball diamond, we would have allowed the ecstatic fans to dogpile us in adoration. We would have cried and bounced and laughed and wailed — all at the same time — all expressing our finest versions of self-serving gyrations. Such whooping and hollering is yet one final way to taunt the opponent we have just defeated, enjoying one last demonstration of personal dominance over our newly-defeated foe.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
As day dawned on the first Easter Sunday morning, the Savior remained in the immediate vicinity of the tomb, at least long enough to bring comfort to a devastated Mary. Throughout the coming weeks, the divine priority was to prepare the followers for the future. This process had, in fact, begun three years earlier; it was part of the whole discipleship training strategy during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Think about how many times the disciples, so bent upon their own temporal desires, took issue with Jesus’ long look toward the future.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Loving Savior of sinners, Hope of the hopeless, Friend of the friendless, teach us the secrets and the timings of holy celebration. Help us, in You, to discover the value of showing grace to our opponents, extending forgiveness to our enemies, expressing compassion to our neighbors, and offering love to everyone we encounter. May Your thoughts become our thoughts, and may Your ways become our ways. Forgive us for the vain celebrations which only benefit ourselves. Help us to seek the comfort of others more than the congratulations of ourselves. It is in the name of the Prince of Peace that we pray. Amen.
Randy Edwards
