It is interesting to see how opposite extremes can often be found or experienced very close together, and through the same set of events. We all have heard of joy-rides gone terribly wrong. We can imagine the excitement of the Apollo 13 crew, when first selected. Or we may have experienced the ups and downs, the excitements and the fears of a rollercoaster ride. I mean not a sissy one, but a real rollercoaster, like the wooden structure at the Vancouver PNE. Built in 1958 it is the oldest wooden rollercoaster in Canada. At is 21 meters (68ft) tall and reaching 76 km/hr (47mph), it is definitely a white-knuckle experience.
Some two thousand years ago, the followers of Jesus experienced an emotional rollercoaster ride second to none. First the witnessed Jesus’s entrance to Jerusalem, welcomed as a king by a cheering crowed. Only a few days later He is being subjected to a mock trial, tortured, crucified and buried. Just when everything appeared lost and their hope had vanished, Christ rose from the dead, to walk, talk and eat with them. What a thrill it must have been for His disciples, and what a thrill it still for those of us who believe.
Those who believe not only in a supernatural event, but believe in God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
“But as many as receive Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Who were borne, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” John 1:12-13 NKJ
Christmas and Easter are the two most celebrated holidays on the Christian calendar, but these two events are separated by about thirty-three and a half years. Here is a short account of what we know about that time span:
Laid into a manger, yet borne Christ the King
Magi traversed far their reverence to bring
King Herod the brutal, sees Christ as a rival
God send Joseph to Egypt, for the babies’ survival
After King Herod’s death, and all being clear
To Nazareth they return, avoiding great cheer.
As a boy at the temple, marveling teachers, that’s when
“Jesus grew in wisdom and favor with God and with men”
John baptised Jesus all righteousness to fulfill
The Father was pleased for that was His will
From heaven he spoke with a Spirit-dove white
“You are my beloved Son, in whom I delight”
Awaiting his heavenly Father’s instructions
He goes into the wilderness, avoiding distraction
Fasting and praying for the Fathers’ will to be done
He was thirsty and hungry, but food He had none.
Then Satan came tempting, but at no avail
Jesus knew God’s word, and it never does fail
To leave his teachings with men He could trust
Twelve disciples he called, to follow they must
Declaring God’s kingdom in every city and town
The pharisees, they follow, their faces in frown
As Christ heals with wonders the lame and the sick
The High Priests are claiming, this is only a trick
Christ teaches and preaches to those that will hear
Repent and be baptised, the Kingdom I near
Through love and compassion with sinners He pleads
With five loaves and two fishes, five thousand he feeds
“I am the way and the truth and the life”, I am He.
“No-one comes to the Father except through me”
Christ’s claim for the Father and He to be one
Sees his ministry on earth almost coming undone
The priests tear their robes and cry blaspheme
For Jesus to be Messiah and God cannot be
The Pharisees and priests they feel a great threat
To their privileged life, they want to see Christ dead
The erratic masses, no different from today,
Shout Hosanna at first, then the next day say nay
With thirty pieces of silver and Judas in the wing
Priests find their accomplice to operate a sting
To Pontius Pilate, the Governor, they appeal
False witnesses accusing of nothing that’s real
The Governor was baffled and offered a release
Yet the crowd demanded, give us Barabbas, please.
Spineless Pilate gave in, to safeguard his rear
Noisy crowds got their way, responding with cheer
Being scourged and crucified with another two
Christ’s response:
“Father forgive them, they do not know what they do”
Then He said, “It is finished” as the veil ripped in two
Christ is now the door to the Father for me and for you
“We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
But Christ Jesus paid our debt, which we could not
They laid him to rest with great sorrow and weeping
Not knowing at all, that death could not keep Him
To hell He descended to finish the fight
At Easter He rose at mornings first light
The end to fear death and suffering and pain
For those that believe this is nothing but gain
He is risen, Christian’s shout, He is risen indeed
Man’s enemy called death has seen final defeat
Heaven’s doors are now open for those that repent
And believe in Christ Jesus that the Father has sent
Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth
That Jesus is Lord, and salvation will come about
We don’t know the hour the day or the year
But one day, as promised, His judgement we hear.
No time to be wasted, get down on your knee
Happy Easter, He is risen, after dying for thee
Horstt – Easter 2021
Christmas and Eastertime get a big score
But that is not the end, there is still more……….