Authentic Compassion

Saturday, April 11, 2009

He IS Risen

We went with a group of friends to the Capernaum Experience on Maundy Thursday - experiencing a re-creation of a village in Capernaum around the time of Christ's life on earth. My favorite moment I didn't capture with a picture. The actor playing Christ came through the villlage square laughing, stopping to talk and play with the children ( everyone stays in character). I often picture my Savior laughing and always loving His children-- a man not of comely features but he draws people - - -

Isaiah 53(the Message paraphrase)
Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field.There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.But the fact is, it was our pains he carried our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him our sins!He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word.Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence.Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man,Even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.
Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain.The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.
Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly— the best of everything, the highest honors—Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest.He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Being one of the black sheep - I'm eternally grateful for his willingness to become sin - MY sin so I could be forgiven. He is Risen! He is risen indeed.























8 comments:

sharilyn said...

He is risen INDEED!! : )

teamwilhite said...

Your pictures look neat- maybe we can go back with ya'll next year. Thanks for posting this!

KathyB. said...

I have never heard of such a re-enactment. I would love to see one..

I was reflecting on the cross today. One thing that always came to mind was the fact that many, many people were crucified and I would wonder why that made Christ's death different. Crucifixion IS a horrible death...but what made His death most awful was His taking on our sin. The blameless, sinless Son of God took on our filthy, stinking, rotting sin...he died with our sin, then rose again...to offer us forgiveness and the ability to stand before His Father..blameless..forgiven....

Lanny said...

That was very good. What a fascinating reenactment to go see I am sure! What a wonderful way to reflect on who He was. I am forever amazed at the unfathomable love of Christ for His Father's children.

LindaSue said...

Sharilyn - and the world will ever be the same! TeamWilhite - I think there will be other events there - let's plan on making an outing including dinner at our house? KathyB - I was overwhelmed praying/thinking about the only perfect one becoming MY sin - truly incredible. God's plan of redemption isn't pretty or easy for a sinner to grasp - but once you have hold - it is the most beautiful possible event.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Just loved your words on this! So inspiring! Blessings,Kathleen

Paula said...

Beautiful words, Linda Sue.. and I'm happy I can join in praise with you as one of the redeemed sheep!

Sophie said...

He IS risen indeed! Praise the Lord! What a cool scene that must have been. How blessed we are to serve a RISEN Savior :)