So tomorrow is April 20th, Easter. And it just so happens that one of my favorite chapters in the Bible is John 20 and it’s about Easter. If you seriously haven’t read it in the past say 36 hours, drop whatever you’re doing and go read it. And incase you need a refresher, this is what happens.
It’s a chapter where everything changes.
It’s a chapter where disciples race to be first. But they discover what I always forget, I can never be first. Because Jesus can move without me. And He always moves before me.
It’s a chapter where a woman’s faith brings her to look for her Savior. Because where else would she go? I’m humbled by her faith knowing when times get hard/dark/lonely/scary her response is to search. But when it’s my turn, I buy into the lie that I wouldn’t even find Jesus if I tried to look for him.
It’s a chapter where Jesus gets mistaken for a gardener. Which is beautiful, because gardeners mend gardens. They create, water, prune, weed, and replant. And isn’t that what Jesus was doing, replanting what was lost in the Garden of Eden?
It’s a chapter where a woman doesn’t even recognize her Redeemer until he speaks her name. Which reminds me how I’m only a little sheep. Desperate and distraught until I recognize the voice of my Shepherd. The Voice that calls me from death into life. I only see him because He first saw me. I only love him, because he first loved me.
It’s a chapter where men lock themselves in a room. Because isn’t that what we do when we’re scared, look out the outside and live inside safely with our fear? But Jesus walks through walls. No matter how much I try, I can’t lock him out. And when his limitless love comes inside, there’s no more room for fear.
It’s a chapter where a guy isn’t content sitting on the sidelines while his friends get the amazing experience. He reminds me to look for the unexpected. He reminds me it’s okay to ask for miracles. He reminds me I meant to have my own experience and not to settle for watching my friends’.
It’s a chapter where Jesus shows up to a doubting follower. And though that poor guy gets the worst nickname ever, he had the courage to show up. He risked disappointment and looked for Jesus. It comforts me to know that I can ask God. But it challenges me to step up and give God the chance to show himself.
It’s a chapter where everything changes, and when it end it gives me a promise. It tells me I get life. It tells me that I get life in his name. Because He lives, I now live.
It’s a chapter about humanity and imperfection.
It’s a chapter about a Savior who loves despite imperfection.
It’s a chapter about my Savior who loves me and my imperfections.
It’s a chapter about grace.
It’s only one chapter. But it tells the whole story.
