A Hurting Word...
"Isn't great to be a kid for a while?" That's the ditty a local radio station plays to advertise "the best ice cream in town." It's also a perfect slogan to describe "the best Easter fun on the Web--The BIG Internet Easter Egg Hunt! Grown-up webmasters like Peggie hid the eggs and grown-up people like you (helping your kids, of course) found them! Now that's not the real meaning of Easter--and we know it--but it sure has been fun!
I've never really stopped being a kid, have you? I still play hide 'n seek --my kids "hide" their shoes, their library books, their coats--and Mom seeks until she finds them...not the most fun game I like to play. But then, not all "hiding and seeking" IS fun. It's not supposed to be!
For when we hide from our Lord--in fear, doubt, or anger; when we seek our Lord--for direction, fellowship, or love, it's no game! So let's stop "being a kid for a while!" Let's take time for some serious "hide 'n seek" with a few favorite Bible characters. And let's ask them--and ourselves--"Whom do YOU seek?"
A Helping Word...or Two!
A Loving Redeemer!...Mary, Mother of Jesus, whom do YOU seek?....my Son, nailed to a tree, wounded in the house of His friends. I would hide my face from His shame, His sorrow, His pain--I try, but I am transfixed by the love I see and feel. He is not just MY Son...He is God's Son, my Loving Redeemer. That's whom I seek--and I've found Him, the Savior of my soul. The Lover of my life.....And the all-seeing Savior in His death bends low to provide care for the one who gave Him birth. He saw Mary's pain, her grief, and her love. He would love and care for her; He would redeem her; she need hide no more! And neither should you! For He is risen indeed; He lives forevermore--and He is YOUR loving Redeemer today!
"...ye were not redeemed with...silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ...(1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV)."
A Forgiving Savior!...Peter, follower of Jesus, whom do YOU seek?...my Savior, betrayed b-b-by ME...Oh, God, what have I done? How can I ever face You again? I would hide my face in my own shame, my own sorrow, my own pain--I try, but I am transfixed by the love I see and feel. I see Him risen, seeking me--you heard the angel, "Go your way, tell his disciples, AND PETER--"--that's ME! I'm forgiven. I know it. I feel it.....And the all-forgiving Christ in His resurrected, gentle power, speaks three loving times to a sinful, forgiven man, "Peter, lovest thou me?" At last Peter knows--he is forgiven; he is free; he need hide no more! And neither should you! For He is risen indeed; He lives forevermore; and He is YOUR forgiving Savior today!
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18 KJV)."
A Risen Lord! Mary Magdalene, friend of Jesus, whom do YOU seek?...my Lord, wounded, dead, buried..and now they have taken Him away...I would also hide my face in grief, sorrow and pain--and I do, but then I hear a Voice--I've heard that Voice before. It is a voice of love, of tenderness, of peace. He speaks my name--MARY--that's ME! All is well. My Master, My Lord is alive...I know it. I feel it...And the resurrected Lord speaks peace to a grieving woman's heart. Sorrow is replaced by joy. Pain gives way to peace. For at last Mary knows--He is alive--she need hide in grief no more. And neither should you! For He is risen indeed; He lives forevermore; and He is YOUR Risen Lord today!
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4,5 (KJV)."
Whom do YOU seek today? The loving Redeemer? The forgiving Savior? The Risen Lord? He sought you long before you ever thought of seeking Him. He knows the hidden sadness, grief, and guilt you carry. You need carry it no more. For He is alive forevermore--for YOU and for the world He came to save. He is risen. Shout it in freedom, in faith, in victory--He calls YOUR name--for He is risen indeed for YOU today!
And that's just a living word--or two--from His heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore...(Revelation 1:18 KJV)."
"Lord, I've hidden in my grief, my guilt, my pain for too long. I lift my head in faith, hope and joy. For I need hide no longer. You are risen; You are alive; You are Lord--not only then, but here and now. And that's where I need You--here and now! I receive Your resurrection life and power in my soul this day. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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