Once again we come to Easter Time to celebrate Christ’s Passion and Victory over death and hell.
Some scriptures from John’s Gospel to reflect upon, Firstly TO PREPARE HIS DISCIPLES for all that lay ahead;
20 Very truly I tell you, YOU WILL WEEP AND MOURN WHILE THE WORLD REJOICES. You will grieve, but YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY. John 16
The world Rejoiced at that which caused the Disciples grief, but Jesus told them their grief was only for a short time. He would overcome and return again.
22 So with you: now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and YOU WILL REJOICE, AND NO ONE WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR JOY. (Hallelujah)
We have a personal Saviour who knows and cares for us individually (Good Shepherds often know each sheep in their flocks).
26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to her, ‘WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON,’ 27 and to the disciple, ‘HERE IS YOUR MOTHER.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19
28 Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ (Jesus remained human to the end.)
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘IT IS FINISHED.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Jesus declared He’d fulfilled His Calling on earth, the reason He’d come. At the end that’s what counts.)
The means of Jesus’ death was a direct fulfilment of the prophetic scriptures, it had to be that way;
36 THESE THINGS HAPPENED SO THAT THE SCRIPTURE WOULD BE FULFILLED: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken,’ 37 and, as another scripture says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced.’
Finally, looking further ahead after the Sabbath. Mary Magdalene went alone to the tomb;
16 Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’
She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).
17 Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. GO INSTEAD TO MY BROTHERS and tell them, “I AM ASCENDING TO MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER, TO MY GOD AND YOUR GOD.”’ (What a glorious statement, the Risen Christ’s first words!)
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20
May God bless you and give you peace during this Easter time.