Things Are Not As They Seem
Christians and non-Christians alike all know the scene. Jesus hangs on the cross, nails hammered through his hands and feet. Some are weeping, while others are mocking him. The guards are standing by just waiting for his life to end. And then in one final moment, Jesus, the king of the Jews, cries out and breathes his last breath.
Scripture:
“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37
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Observation/Application:
Jesus followers are in disbelief. They are overwhelmed with grief. They are lost and confused. Many hide out in fear, trying to make sense of everything and trying to figure out what they are going to do now that their leader is gone… or so everyone thinks.
When everyone thought the story was over, they learned that another chapter had begun. When everyone thought that hope was lost, their hope was found and made stronger than ever. Just when everyone thought that Jesus had died, they learned that he had in fact arisen!
Isn’t it just like God to take what the enemy meant for harm and turn it around for good! Just when the devil thought he had won, he soon learns that he had been defeated. What kind of problems are we facing today? How is the enemy coming against us today? Are we losing hope? Are we facing something that seems impossible? Let us never forget that nothing is impossible with God! No matter what the circumstances are, Jesus can turn things around! There is power in the name of Jesus. There is always hope in the name of Jesus. Hope is never lost with Jesus.
Even if in the flesh it looks impossible and there is nothing else that we can do, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing more that God can do. God’s ways are not our ways. And at the end of our ability is where God’s ability begins. Let us have faith and trust in God. Let us never forget that no matter how dark the circumstances, even when it seems like all hope is lost, with God things aren’t always as they seem. He has turned things around countless times in the past, and he will do it again, when we fully trust in Him.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Thank you for revealing to us your awesome power and strength. Thank you for sending Jesus to build up our faith and to help us know that the ultimate victory lives in You! Help our unbelief Lord. Help us to trust and fully surrender to You. Help us to see that things are not as they seem, no matter what our eyes are showing us, no matter what everyone around us is telling us. Let us lean on Your Word Lord. Let us lean on the Word of God, and not on our own understanding. Just as you have done it countless times all throughout history, we believe that you can turn things around for us God. We trust in You. We honor You. We seek you first. And we thank you for your promise, and fully surrender to You. We give you all the honor and glory, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
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