Apr 19, 2020
Ready Or Not – Here I Come!
4-20-20
The late pianist Anthony Burger used to tell a story about his son Austin, at five years old, in his church’s Easter pageant. He was cast as Jesus, dressed in sandals and one of his dad’s old T-shirts.
The other kids in their little costumes beheld the empty cardboard tomb. The little girls acted sad, and when little Jesus appeared he told them not to be afraid, or to be sad. “I died, but now I am alive! I will never leave you!” Parents in the church audience were moved, and proud.
All of a sudden, Austin ran back into the tomb – not in the script! But right away he popped out and yelled, “Ready or not – here I come!!!”
Somewhere between parents’ embarrassment and the church’s laughter we might find – “out of the mouths of babes!” – some decent theology.
Ready or not, Jesus did leave that tomb. He conquered sin and death. He returned. To live among us.
He actually never did go back into that tomb. He just needed it for the weekend. He lives; He lives; Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with us and He talks with us, along life’s narrow way… We sing it, but are we ready… or not?
Jesus was ready, but are we?
We have to be ready. When a Savior dies – for us; and lives – for us, we cannot be indifferent. Life on earth was never the same again, and when we meet the Incarnate Lord, the Risen Savior… we cannot be the same again. Ever.
If you are not changed, you need some serious time with Jesus… but with yourself too.
Maybe, make use of the self-isolation these days.
Jesus used His isolation to live again.
Let us use our isolation to be born again.
Ready? Or not?
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Click:A Child’s Easter Story
Just a room for the weekend. Amen!
Yes, thank you, Rick! Our redemption is drawing near!