Lent Ten "Get up and Walk"

 

Dancer Misty Copeland recreates Degas' painting 

He that lives in hope danceth without musick- 

George Herbert (1593 - 1633)

There is a wonderful story of the imprisoned Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian Baptist minister,  who in freezing solitary confinement.  He calculates that it this day was Christmas, and he pulls himself up onto his feet and danced for joy around his cell.  This is the same hope that is offered to us.  It is a hope that is based on believing that Jesus has seen how things turn out.  It's a bit like when Margaret and I watched Spike Lee's film 'The Black Klans Man' for the second time we were not nearly so nervous.  We knew that the key innocent people were not lynched. It's very comforting.

Paul's letter to the Romans Chapter Five

Our trusting relationship with Jesus has brought us into peace with our Creator. What Jesus has done gives us complete assurance that we share royal privileges! We are ready for trials and endurance tests. These reveal the character, confidence and hope that grows within us. Our hope will strengthen because we have the presence of Jesus, filling us with the knowledge that we are dearly loved. Now, few people would be willing to die for a good person. Perhaps some to save an extra special person. But we know that Jesus chose to sacrifice himself for us when we, as a race, hated and despised him. Jesus has stood in for us to take the Creator's judgement. What a wonderful thing it is to now be in union with the Creator and designer of all thing! The very first person on earth was given the choice to honour the Creator or not. Choosing to hurt the Creator, the relationship was marred, followed by separation, which led to death. Stepping in to rescue this first person, and all others to follow, is Jesus. With the first person came alienation, divorce and death. With Jesus come restitution, forgiveness and life. Even when what is honouring to the Creator was spelt out in words, it made no difference. People continued to do things that destroyed the vital link. The Creator knew this would happen, and with the love of a parent for a disobedient child, made a way for the relationship to be restored so that we can return to the original plan; that is, to live in close harmony with our maker, with Jesus, forever. 

PRAYER: May you be praised in all things.  May I honour you today.