THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 4, No. 15 – Monday, 22nd April, 2019
(Matt.27:45-66, 28:1-10, Psalm 30:5)
THE SACRIFICE, SUFFERINGS AND THE SORROWS OF CRUCIFIXION ON GOOD FRIDAY, THE SIMMERING SILENCE AND SERENE QUIETNESS OF HOLY SATURDAY AND THE SIREN JOY AND ECSTASY OF GLORIOUS EASTER SUNDAY AND MONDAY
I strongly doubt whether there can be any greater sorrow and depression than that experienced by a young child who just lost his/her parents to the ‘icy still hands of death’. This was exactly the plight of Christ’s disciples following His death. Those disciples suddenly became orphans. Understand in full what their plight was especially on the first two days of their Master’s death. A simple crisscross through the Scriptures reveal to us that for the period of Christ’s sacrifice, suffering, sorrow and eventual crucifixion, heaven was in perfect silence.
No word came from heaven- from God to comfort those few disciples. Was it that God was unmindful of their plight? In comparison to the rest of the large population of Israel, these disciples were just too few. Didn’t God realize that these few disciples needed a word of reassurance for their protection, their future, and guidance on the next way forward? Unquestionably, from the moment of Christ’s trials before the High Priest- Caiaphas, before Herod and before Pontius Pilate and through the first two days of Christ’s death,it had become a period of the worst storm these disciples had ever experienced.
Why then did God choose to remain silent? Remember dear brother, dear sister, that God speaks in either of three instances: (1) before the storm to prepare you. (2) During that storm to encourage you (Job.38:1). And (3) God will only speak to you sometimes after the storm is over to give you reasons why you had to go through that storm, how He ransomed you, and also teach you a lesson.
But understand also that there are always moments of gaps in all of these three instances. These are the gaps of divine silence. An academic mind would question this no doubt. And really, does it appeal to reason that keeping silent is an attribute to be demonstrated by God in times of storm? There is a mystery here. God’s silence when a man is going through the valley of hardship and turmoil is not indolence.
The truth is this: God’s silence in times of storms of every kind means DIVINE WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE UNSEEN BACKSTAGE. The reason man gets so worried in times of storm is either because man has forgotten what God said before the storm or that even where God is yet to give a word about that stormy situation, He is ever in perfect acquaintance with that ongoing situation. For God is ever current with every current plight.
For Christ’s disciples, sorrow had so overwhelmed them that they could not remember that Christ had spoken to them that He would rise up on the third day. It means then that they forgot because fear had replaced faith and the lie of the enemy had taken over the truth. What a tragedy! They forgot vital information that was why on the third day, rather than that they all headed in the direction of Galilee which was the meeting place He had informed them to be immediately after His resurrection, some of them instead either remained in sorrow at home while others ran to the tomb where He was no longer lying.
See the mystery of verse 9 of Matthew chapter 28. They ran to the tomb searching for Christ. But it was the One whom they were seeking for who found them. Understand therefore dearly beloved that by the power of Christ’s resurrection, that thing or that one whom you are seeking for will find you.
For the Christian, the message of Easter is obvious; the message of Easter is: it is never over even when it is over so long as God is in the equation. The message of Easter is obvious: it is the message that no matter how tough and strong the cords of every sorrowful ‘good Friday’ and ‘holy (quiet) Saturday’ may turn out to be, such sorrowful ‘good Friday and tumultuous ‘holy Saturday’ will always break into a glorious and joyful Sunday morning in the end.
Understand, dearly beloved, that the stone rolled over your progress, business, marriage and the likes all have an appointed time, that stumbling stone of delay will in the end become a stepping-stone of greatness and unquenchable joy.
With the power of Easter and the finished work on the cross by Christ, the womb of sorrow will always birth the moments of celebration. But remember too that expectation beget manifestation. Therefore, at all times remain hopeful. Christ’s resurrection is the reason why there is hope to carry on. Most notably, remember that it is the attribute of man to dash other men’s hopes, but not God.
IN THE END, REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE NOT CONCEIVED IN THE WOMB IN ONE DAY AND BORN FROM THAT WOMB THAT SAME DAY OF CONCEPTION. WITH EASTER AND THE POWER OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION, YOUR LIFE AND YOUR LIFE’S POSITIVE CHANGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. YOUR EASTER MORNING WILL SOON DAWN.
Question and Answer Section:
Question: Where was Christ crucified?
Answer: Golgotha (in Hebrew) also called Calvary (in Greek).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia The Battle Is Won And The Victory O’er.
PRAY NOW:
1. O God, I thank you because you suffered and died for me.
2. I invite the power of Christ’s Calvary into all of my life’s situations.
3. O power of Christ’s resurrection, do the following good things in my life.
4. O stone of wickedness covering my destiny, be rolled away.
5. O angels of Jesus, bring my expected good tidings.
6. I will shine, in Jesus name.
