Our friend, Miriam, decided a number of years ago to post on Facebook one thing that she was thankful for each day, for a year. When the year was up, she found that she’d enjoyed the exercise so much that she wanted to keep going! Many years later, she’s still posting, and we (along with the rest of her friends) enjoy the quirky, comical, and sometimes deep things that she shares.
Today we’d like to share an Easter meditation that she posted at one point. May you find it as refreshing and encouraging as we did.
Sun/Mar/28 - Reason 3006 - I am THANKFUL to GOD that often the simple thoughts of a child can confound an adult. That is what happened to me this morning. My friend posted this picture. Her grade 4 daughter was the artist.
My initial thought was, "How sweet and wonderful that a little girl would want to put this artwork on her apartment door for all the neighbours to see." Oh, to be so unashamed of the Gospel!
Then I looked closer. I was struck by the sentence "GOD comes to Jerusalem." I literally sat back in my chair to contemplate those 4 words. I mean, don't we usually humanize the entire story of Easter? It's all about Jesus. A "man". Somewhat relatable. I don't know why, but something hit me deep within when I took a moment to replace Jesus with GOD during the events of Holy Week.
El Shaddai (LORD GOD ALMIGHTY) allowed Mary to anoint His feet with oil.
El Elyon (MOST HIGH GOD) shared the last supper with his "redneck" disciples.
Adonai (LORD, MASTER) prayed, with agony in his heart, submitting in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Yahweh (LORD, JEHOVAH) was betrayed by Judas.
Jehovah Shalom (LORD, PEACE) was condemned by the Sanhedrin.
Jehovah-Raah (LORD, SHEPHERD) was denied by Peter. (“Who will care for my sheep?”)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (LORD, RIGHTEOUSNESS) was judged by Pontius Pilate.
Jehovah Rapha (LORD, HEALER) was scourged and crowned with thorns.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (LORD, WHO SANCTIFIES) was forced to carry his own cross.
Elohim (GOD) was crucified for ME!
Qanna (JEALOUS) forgave the thief on the cross.
The GOD-Man died on the cross.
Jehovah Sabaoth (LORD OF HOSTS) was placed in a tomb.
Jehovah Jireh (THE LORD WILL PROVIDE) is resurrected from the dead! And provided MY salvation!
A new way for me to reflect on Holy Week, all thanks to one darling little girl. No wonder Jesus reprimands us adults with the beautiful truth that His Kingdom belongs to the children.
