While sitting on my patio, looking up towards the hills far away, where I imagined that my Lord was crucified. I was young, awaiting, pondering. There was this subtle excitement as we approached the celebration of Resurrection Day. During that time, my heart was pounding not with fear but with anticipation to relive the life and death of my Lord Jesus Christ.
At a young age, I tried to put myself in the story and my imagination became very wild. I could feel the pains that my Savior went through. What caused that? As a child I was drawn to the things of God. It is somewhat difficult to put into words but there was a sensitive spot in my heart. I had an assurance of having someone who cared for me but I didn’t know that person.
Good Friday In A Far Away Land
On Good Friday, I was forced to fast until after our church service that lasted about 3 hours. It was not boring because we spent time dramatizing the passion of Jesus while reading Chapters 26-27 in the book of Matthew. During that time I was sad, seeing what happened to a man who was innocent. I did not understand everything that was happening but my heart was hurting mostly when He was beaten and crucified. Why they were so cruel? I used to ask. “He did nothing wrong” I whispered, yet I did not know the real meaning of it. Whom could I ask? How could I share my feeling of uneasiness with others? That was the pain I felt and experienced when Jesus was suffering for the world and for me.
Palm Sunday
Before that was Palm Sunday. What a contrast. Everyone was happy with palms in their hands, celebrating Jesus (being played by the Priest) sitting on a real donkey. It was exciting, joyful and glorious. I became part of the crowd cheering Jesus by singing “Hosanna to the Son of David.” “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest” (Mat 21:9,15).
This joy was robbed from me when I attended the church service on Good Friday. The abandonment, the betrayal, the condemnation and the disrespect were too hard for a 9 year old to handle. “Why did He have to suffer?” I asked. Isn’t He a nice person? Still, I could not understand the meaning of the story. My heart was bleeding inside but I would not dare share my pains with anyone. They would not understand either. But something was happening. In my hometown it seemed that Good Friday and Holy Saturday would always be cloudy. Everyone was quiet and we children weren’t allowed to make any noise, because Jesus was dead. Literally the word was “be quiet and patient” in two days you can rejoice on Resurrection Day.
I was upset seeing criminals kill Jesus. I imagined that my Lord was crucified. The days seemed very long before Sunday. And finally, the bells started ringing from midnight on Saturday until 6 pm on Sunday. Everyone looked beautiful with new dresses, ready to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Surprisingly, the sun seemed to shine extra bright Sunday morning. You could see the joy and the glory of God on each face. We celebrated with songs, instruments and extended hours. We were excited to wish everyone a Happy Resurrection Day.
In A Dream
What a joy to know that Jesus is no longer dead but He is Risen. I didn’t understand that story until the day Jesus appeared to me in a dream 16 years later. He told me who He was and explained the reason He came to me. He told me how He loved me, that He put me in my mother’s womb and how He has been watching over me ever since. We had a marvelous time. Instantly I loved Him with all my heart. He told me about salvation, He quoted John 14:6 to me and asked me to remember that He is the Way, the Truth and the Light and that no one goes to the Father without Him. He showed me the Father and the Holy Spirit and told me to only put my eyes on Him and if I do that, everything will be alright.
I am now a different person. Through floods and stormy winds, I remain faithful to a Loving and Compassionate Savior who came and died for my sins and loves me unconditionally. He is always with me, He never stops revealing Himself to me. He still speaks, and as one of His sheep, I know his voice.
There Is Hope For You
During this difficult time, remember that there is hope for you. Jesus is the Hope Eternal. He sees your pain and cares for you. He will come and save you. Ask Him now. 2,000 years ago, He shed his precious blood, took our shame and our pain and was crucified for you and me. Would you let Him come and heal you. He is still our Healer, our Savior and our Deliverer. Lift up your eyes to the hills and know that your help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1). He is Alive and He is Risen Indeed!
If you want, right now say a prayer like this. Dear Jesus please forgive all my sins and save me now. I believe you died in my place on the cross. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Margo Kemp
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