My friend was heartbroken. The contractors who were building her retaining wall had to remove a bush. It was at least thirty years old, grown from a start from her grandmother’s plant. The men handled it with as much care as they could but drought was against them. When they lifted it from the hole they dug, the earth was so dry that it fell off the roots; not good. They replanted it in another spot, but it looked hopeless. My friend was sure that this lovely bush, one that she could never raise again, was gone. That was last year.
A couple of days ago she was walking about her yard and what did her eyes behold? Green shoots growing out of what looked dead and a few red flowers, sparse though they were, on the bush. “New life,” she said. I could hear the smile in her voice.
When Jesus submitted to the Father’s will and took the cross, it looked like all was lost. The hopes and dreams that the disciples hung on Him were nailed to the cross and perished with Him. Can you imagine their shock? Their horror? Their unbelief? The earth was pulled out from beneath their feet. The breath was sucked out of their lungs.
Then miracle of miracles, Jesus did exactly what He said He would. He rose from the grave and appeared to them.
New life.
That is what the Resurrection season is to those who believe. It is reflecting upon that beautiful root of David, being plucked from an unforgiving earth and planted in a tomb. The unyielding ground is watered with tears as we mourn. It was we who caused the shame and pain of the magnificent Rose of Sharon, the unassuming Lily of the Valley. Sometimes it feels like we sit in the dark, waiting in silence, wondering what just happened and what will be. Like the disciples of old, we cradle our broken hearts as we ponder.
“We must have been mistaken, LORD. We were so sure …”
Then, as winter gives way to spring, the sun shines; His warmth penetrates the ice castles we have built. “He is risen! He is alive!” the glad choir of songbirds sing.
Hope is renewed. Courage takes root. Indeed, we are growing. We are being made whole. We will see His complete will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. The enemy has shrunk and turned and run in terror. God will have His way no matter what it looks like.
I hope that, like me, you are enjoying this Resurrection season and that you are filled with awe and gratitude. God is good.
Coincidentally, my friend says her grandmother called that bush a flame bush. I hope that if you have received the Savior, (and if you haven’t yet), you will follow one of Jesus’ final requests:
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49 KJV
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 KJV
As if the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus wasn’t enough, He gives us the promise of His Father: the Holy Spirit in us— the means by which we obtain the power to live out our new life in Christ and make disciples. I hope you will join me in receiving this extended precious gift from God above.
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
God's Word Girl 