From That Moment
“My mind is clearer now.” These are the opening words to the 1973 rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar”. My high school friend and I went to see this movie event when it first came out. When it was over, we and everyone else in attendance left the theater in silence. Not until Mel Gibson’s “the Passion” came out, have I witnessed this type of reaction to a movie about Jesus’ life. Though there were many people and organizations and churches that did not care for the way in which Christ’s story is told, to me it spoke volumes. Ever since I obtained a VHS tape of this movie, and now DVD, I have watched it every year during Lent. Each time I have watched it, something new is learned about my faith in God. Tonight is the night before Good Friday, and come Sunday, those who attend church will be there to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It will be a festive day and many people will gather with their families to eat and enjoy each other’s company. To many this is the most exciting and meaningful day of our Christian heritage. It is exciting to me too, but not the most meaningful. The meaningfulness of Christ’s life and what it means to me, comes on Friday night, on the cross, Just before Jesus’ last breath.
In the movie, the last words that Jesus speak are, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Let that sink in and what that represents to you and I, and everyone else.
We can’t be for certain what words Jesus really spoke, but his actions surely define it. It is from that moment, with that faith in God’s hands, God’s word would become true with a renewed life of the resurrected Jesus Christ.
A new life given to all, that we ceremoniously celebrate on Easter Sunday and give praise to every day of the year.
This new life could only have happened when Jesus gave his life and everything in it, to God. That is when his faith in God and love for us took all the sins in this world and sacrificed them on the cross, so that our lives would be forgiven and made new.
Our lives are full of crosses to bare and sometimes our strength becomes too weak and our backs turn from God’s hands. But, God’s hands never close and when you turn around and reach out, you will find his love there to embrace you and cleanse your spirit.
Several years ago a traumatic experience happened to me and my life was forever changed. I could not understand how evilness had come, the way it did, and throw its weight around, crushing hopes and dreams. I went through a personal crucifixion, and the cross was heavy and the pain was deep. For a time after that, my back turned from God’s hand. When I finally started seeking his guidance, I was amazed at how meaningful he spoke, through his messengers. My spirit started mending and new paths of purpose began to be lighted. The road is a work in progress and I hope the end is far off.
Several weeks ago I was involved in a 30 hour famine during a weekend of mission activities. The famine ended with sharing of communion. As I took the bread and dipped it into the cup, I looked up at the wooden cross and gave thanks to God for what he had given me, and letting me take part in this mission. It was then, that I could feel the warmth of Christ’s Spirit embrace me in a way that warmed my entire body. I knew from that moment, that my life had been renewed from death.
Jesus is our greatest teacher, and what he taught us is, in order for us to gain the life God wants us to have, we must be willing to sacrifice the life that we have, put it in God’s hands, and to him, commend our spirit. When you do, your life will be renewed, from that moment.
“My mind is clearer now.” These are the opening words to the 1973 rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar”. My high school friend and I went to see this movie event when it first came out. When it was over, we and everyone else in attendance left the theater in silence. Not until Mel Gibson’s “the Passion” came out, have I witnessed this type of reaction to a movie about Jesus’ life. Though there were many people and organizations and churches that did not care for the way in which Christ’s story is told, to me it spoke volumes. Ever since I obtained a VHS tape of this movie, and now DVD, I have watched it every year during Lent. Each time I have watched it, something new is learned about my faith in God. Tonight is the night before Good Friday, and come Sunday, those who attend church will be there to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It will be a festive day and many people will gather with their families to eat and enjoy each other’s company. To many this is the most exciting and meaningful day of our Christian heritage. It is exciting to me too, but not the most meaningful. The meaningfulness of Christ’s life and what it means to me, comes on Friday night, on the cross, Just before Jesus’ last breath.
In the movie, the last words that Jesus speak are, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Let that sink in and what that represents to you and I, and everyone else.
We can’t be for certain what words Jesus really spoke, but his actions surely define it. It is from that moment, with that faith in God’s hands, God’s word would become true with a renewed life of the resurrected Jesus Christ.
A new life given to all, that we ceremoniously celebrate on Easter Sunday and give praise to every day of the year.
This new life could only have happened when Jesus gave his life and everything in it, to God. That is when his faith in God and love for us took all the sins in this world and sacrificed them on the cross, so that our lives would be forgiven and made new.
Our lives are full of crosses to bare and sometimes our strength becomes too weak and our backs turn from God’s hands. But, God’s hands never close and when you turn around and reach out, you will find his love there to embrace you and cleanse your spirit.
Several years ago a traumatic experience happened to me and my life was forever changed. I could not understand how evilness had come, the way it did, and throw its weight around, crushing hopes and dreams. I went through a personal crucifixion, and the cross was heavy and the pain was deep. For a time after that, my back turned from God’s hand. When I finally started seeking his guidance, I was amazed at how meaningful he spoke, through his messengers. My spirit started mending and new paths of purpose began to be lighted. The road is a work in progress and I hope the end is far off.
Several weeks ago I was involved in a 30 hour famine during a weekend of mission activities. The famine ended with sharing of communion. As I took the bread and dipped it into the cup, I looked up at the wooden cross and gave thanks to God for what he had given me, and letting me take part in this mission. It was then, that I could feel the warmth of Christ’s Spirit embrace me in a way that warmed my entire body. I knew from that moment, that my life had been renewed from death.
Jesus is our greatest teacher, and what he taught us is, in order for us to gain the life God wants us to have, we must be willing to sacrifice the life that we have, put it in God’s hands, and to him, commend our spirit. When you do, your life will be renewed, from that moment.
posted by John | Thursday, April 05, 2007
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home