February 28, 2016

The Shepherd's Corner

THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER
Easter Time - The Disciples

As we approach one of the most wonderful times of the year, Easter, I thought that we could try to look through the eyes of those who experienced is the closest: The Disciples, The women, The soldiers, and Jesus himself. THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER
Easter Time - The Disciples

As we approach one of the most wonderful times of the year, Easter, I thought that we could try to look through the eyes of those who experienced is the closest: The Disciples, The women, The soldiers, and Jesus himself.
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 20
Can you imagine being one of the disciples and hearing that the tomb is empty? I try to imagine what I would feel like if I were them. You left your job, your circle of friends, your comfort zone, basically you were willing to leave everything for this man who you thought was the Messiah. You saw Him do miracles, teach with authority, and touch your own heart. You were willing to die for this man, but then you fail, fall, and don't remain faithful. Then He dies and is buried, but you remember what He said - 3 days. As you're sitting around with your friends you've been with for the past few years the ladies come and tell you the news that really changes everything - The tomb is empty!
I understand why Peter and John ran. What excitement! What joy! Because that empty tomb meant everything in the story of Jesus and everything in their story following Him. He was the Messiah!
When's the last time you ran to Jesus because you were aware and reminded of the greatest single fact - He is the Messiah! What really else matters? Maybe I doubt more than the disciples at times, and maybe I doubt less, but one thing I have to ask myself - am I running to Jesus celebrating who He is and the fact that I know Him? Because there's nothing really more important than that. May God bless us with hearts that run to Him as we approach this Easter.

Pastor Steve
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 20
Can you imagine being one of the disciples and hearing that the tomb is empty? I try to imagine what I would feel like if I were them. You left your job, your circle of friends, your comfort zone, basically you were willing to leave everything for this man who you thought was the Messiah. You saw Him do miracles, teach with authority, and touch your own heart. You were willing to die for this man, but then you fail, fall, and don't remain faithful. Then He dies and is buried, but you remember what He said - 3 days. As you're sitting around with your friends you've been with for the past few years the ladies come and tell you the news that really changes everything - The tomb is empty!
I understand why Peter and John ran. What excitement! What joy! Because that empty tomb meant everything in the story of Jesus and everything in their story following Him. He was the Messiah!
When's the last time you ran to Jesus because you were aware and reminded of the greatest single fact - He is the Messiah! What really else matters? Maybe I doubt more than the disciples at times, and maybe I doubt less, but one thing I have to ask myself - am I running to Jesus celebrating who He is and the fact that I know Him? Because there's nothing really more important than that. May God bless us with hearts that run to Him as we approach this Easter.

Pastor Steve

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - June 23, 2024
The story in the Book of Esther takes place during the dark period of Israel. Because of their disobedience to God, they no longer live in the Promised Land; instead, they live in a foreign land, Media Persia, now the country of Iran.  In this book we can read how God uses Mordecai and his [&he...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - April 14, 2019
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER We all want to see miracles—big miracles—so much so that we often miss small miracles. There is of course nothing wrong about expecting big miracles because big miracles mean big helps for big problems. However, God does not want us to miss small miracles because small mi...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - March 26, 2023
Yesterday we buried Oom Henry Tjioe.  Most of you did not know him; I, too, did not know him too well. In fact, I only met him several times.  It was Tante Yvonne and Oom Peter who tried to introduce him to Christ by inviting him and his wife, Tante Florence, to the Orange County’s [&hel...
Read More