Overcoming obstacles

John 19:30
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

John 20:19
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”

Jesus had to overcome quite a bit in His short life. Auspicious (according to the world) beginning, a time in Egypt on the run, keeping it all under wraps until he turned a dud wedding into a great party, giving up himself to heal others, trying to get us to see who he was and what he meant to us, being ripped apart with a flogging and nailed to hang from a cross until dead, returning from death, with wounds for the fingers to explore, to convince us once and for all that he is who he says he is.

What was the obstacle he had to overcome? Us.

So, as we celebrate His return, His glorious return, take some time to think about why he had to do this for us. Take some time to think about the obstacles we put in place for Christ to overcome then and now. Now ask yourself “Why?”

“I don’t know” is a chicken dung answer and shows a lack of sincerity, a lack of honesty, a lack of integrity and at the very least, a lack of self awareness. Sorry for being so rude, but what else could it be? To be so wrapped up in our own self importance that we don’t understand how small and weak we are in our current self centric state?

Christ’s first worlds to the disciples were “Peace be with you.” His next words were 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the father has sent me, I am sending you.”

The disciples got it then, that he truly was God, that he had overcome death so that we might live. Isn’t it time to have your old self die and be reborn in Christ? Give up on all the self stuff (ish, centered, willed, important, etc.). As we celebrate His return, let’s not lose sight of why he was here in the first place – us.

Lord, when there are obstacles in my way, let me realize they are about me and not you. Let me lean into you, your wisdom, your love, and overcome them in the same love, grace and strength you overcame your obstacles with. Let me trust you.  Let me let go of my selfish, self centered paradigm and frame it up in light of you, your plan, your goodness, your love. Lord, you came back for me. I will let go of the “me” rope and let you lead me. I’m committed to being a follower of you and only you.

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Happy Easter to the part of Christianity that celebrates His return on this calendar date. It is a glorious day.

In His Name,
Micah 6:8
Matthew 25:31-46