He Conquered the Grave … Hallelujah!

Walking along the lakeside path near my home, I looked down and saw a rock in the shape of a heart. Beside it lay a couple of twigs which I fashioned into a cross. It brought tears to my eyes and caused me to reflect and deeply contemplate the sacrifice our Saviour made to redeem us and call us His own.

I chose to leave the cross and the heart lying therein the sand, hoping that it would speak to someone. This happened about a week before the COVID–19 virus became the focus of our attention. As life was dramatically altered,I purposefully chose not to focus my thoughts on the virus; but rather, on the cross.

We cannot celebrate the joy and the victory of the resurrection before contemplating the cost of the sacrifice. Maybe, just maybe,we will begin to understand what sacrifice is all about in these rapidly changing days if we focus on our Saviour’s death.

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 27 we see the picture of the appalling beating and mocking that Christ was subjected to. Notice verse 30;“They spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again.”I was completely overwhelmed by the thought that they spit on ourSaviour. Can you imagine? How utterly humiliating and disgusting itisto be spatupon.Has it ever happened to you? Perhaps it has,metaphorically speaking. Jesus understands all about our disappointments, heartaches, betrayals and pain. He understands what it feels like to be rejected and humiliatedbeyond anythingwecould ever imagine. He was perfect, yet He was publicly demeanedand nailed to a crosslike a common criminal. Yet, He said, “Father, forgive them.”This is amazing love!

We all face pain. Whether it is physical, emotional, spiritual,or relational… we all have stories to tell. What do we do with the hurt? We have choices to make. No one has endured anything that is beyond the understanding of Jesus. He is our ultimate example.We can worship God in our pain. We can, by God’s grace, forgive those who have hurt us. Be reflective and try, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit,to see how Jesus makes all things new even through our sufferings, just like He did on the cross. Oh, the joy of that resurrection morning! Let’s be thankful that we can reflect God’s glory through our hardships. Be thankful that, by God’s grace,we can come alongside others with true empathy and understanding because of what Christ has brought us through. Even amid our heartache, He can use us, beyond what we could ever imagine.

I’m thankful for His amazing grace, His never-ending faithfulness and most of all, I’m thankful for the cross. Christ has victory over ALL and this is our hope eternal. His suffering provided the way of Salvation. We can celebrate our sufferings because He can and will if we let Him fashion them for His glory! Jesus, our King, the hope of the world! Nothing is too hard for Him. No hardship, no hurt, no grief, no pandemic, not even death! He conquered the grave, Hallelujah!

“He was despised and rejectedby men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities;upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with His wounds we are healed”
(Isaiah 53:4-5)

About the Author

Susan Pageis a simple gal who enjoys simple pleasures. Her hobbies include biking, hiking, writing, reading and photography. She loves to encourage others. Her passion is to be used by God as He directs.

She joined the staff of the Associated Gospel Churches in March 2004 in the role of Church Relations Coordinator.Susan has two delightful daughters, one wonderful son-in-law and a handful of soul sisters.

She considers herself blessed! “Because of theLord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

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