I reread chapters 26-28 in the book of Matthew this morning. I know what we call the 'Easter story' of how Jesus was betrayed, convicted, beaten, whipped, and crucified. We also read of His Resurrection from the dead three days later. Most of us have watched it in different movies. The first movie I watched years ago really stuck with me, to where I can remember it to this day. Jesus of Nazareth. We've seen other movies... I think The Robe also shows it - but the focus is more on His robe. Oh my goodness, I remember reading the book in high school - The Robe - and how it affected me then. We've all (pretty much) watched the horrific and graphic movie of The Passion of the Christ. That one is so intense, I have only watched it once. The portrayal of the devil walking around was very disturbing for me. If I had a choice of which movie I would watch at this time, it would be Matthew. It stars Bruce Marciano and I love his portrayal of Jesus. It was when I first saw that movie that I realized that Jesus (probably) laughed and loved on people. All the other portrayals of Him were with Him somber and quiet.
Jesus was just like you and me. He laughed. He cried. He loved. He cared for people. The Chosen, the latest movie of the life of Christ is amazing. At first it bothered me in that it wasn't word for word (as it is in Matthew) but since I watched it with a different view, I love it. We have the dvds of one and two seasons, but haven't seen season three yet because I'm not a big fan of crowds nor of movie theatres. Partly because I was not 'allowed' to go to movies when growing up. But when Chosen is available, we will watch it. I heard it was available on Angel Studios app, and I have it on my phone, but haven't watched it yet. There were parts of season two that really grabbed me and touched my heart. I imagine I shared those thoughts with you already.
While I was at our prayer meeting last Wednesday, I felt God nudging me to invite my youngest son and his wife to church. I must admit we have not shared with them where we are going to church - and they have never asked. Stupid reasons for not sharing it... but I felt God nudging me - out of the blue, in the middle of one of my prayers that night - to invite them. The next day I did - and surprisingly, they accepted. I do hope they will make it this morning. My son needs Jesus to bring peace to his soul. I can't help him; no one person can - but Jesus. He is our Peace-maker.
I have been busy the past couple of days and having a blast doing so. As my daughter tells me, I was 'playing Betty Crocker'. I have made a total of 2 key lime pies, 1 Boston cream pie, 1 French silk pie, a pan of eggs ole' and meatloaf and Anaheim peppers with mashed potatoes and cheese. Of course the meatloaf and peppers were for dinner last night (and was so good!). I gave away some of the eggs ole to Ms. Diane and took over a key lime pie for her birthday and for Easter. It felt so good to be cooking and I wanted to do more - but kept telling myself to stop. We have enough food in the refrigerator for a couple days meals. And today we will go to my daughter's for lunch and we will probably bring some leftovers home too.
Matthew 28:6 (Phillips): "When the Sabbath was over, just as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary from Magdala and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. At that moment there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went forward and rolled back the stone and took his seat upon it. His appearance was dazzling like lightning and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook with terror tat the sight of him and collapsed like dead men. But the angel spoke to the women, "Do ot be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here -- he is risen, just as he said he would. Come and look at the place where he was lying. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. And, listen, he goes before you into Galilee! You will see him there! Now I have told you my message."
Oh that you would believe and turn to Jesus today! Because of His crucifixion, He took all our sins - known and unknown, and they were nailed to the cross with His body. He accepts us just as we are. We don't have to be perfect before we come to Him. We will never be perfect. He is waiting with open arms to gather you close. Jesus rose again and conquered death. To live forever with Him in heaven is the ultimate goal of life. He paid the ultimate price - by laying down His life for you, and for me.
I'm always reminded of what I read in a book that Bruce Marciano wrote regarding his experience of portraying Jesus. For one thing, it nearly killed him (Bruce Marciano). He said that the Holy Spirit showed him that although Jesus did not fight the soldiers as they were beating Him, He also didn't fight them when they took Him to the cross. Jesus literally crawled to lay Himself on the cross and allowed them to put the nails in His hands and feet. The soldiers didn't drag Him to the cross and throw Him on it kicking and fighting. He crawled to the cross and laid Himself down upon it.
Why did He do that? Because if He had died before He got to the cross, and He was already near death from all the beatings and scourings He had endured, His sacrifice would not have meant anything. It took the crucifixion on the cross... He had to get to the cross.
What a Savior! What a Lord! What a God! All praise and glory to Him alone. Thank You, Jesus!
John 3:16 (NIV): "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Easter blessings to you and yours.
