Resurrection Sunday!

Rejoice! Rejoice! When Christ rose from the grave he conquered death and gave us the gift of salvation and justification before God. Death is no longer the end. Death is no longer the final sentence because Christ holds the keys to death (Revelation 1:18). In the Old Testament there are many references to Sheol, the place of the dead. This wasn’t hell (it was closer to the Greek concept of Hades), but a place of a shadowy existence where only the soul survived. Nothing happened in Sheol, it was a place of waiting and doing nothing: no thoughts; no actions; nothing. Therefore, when Christ says in Revelation 1:18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” He is saying that death is no longer the end, and that there is a marvelous life that awaits us in which we are renewed spiritually and physically to serve our God and King!

I know that often times in my posts I try to drive home what Godly living looks like, and how we fall short of it as revealed by Scripture. There are times when our sin can be overwhelming, when we look at how far short we really do fall and become discouraged. Today is not about the sin that was crucified with Christ on Good Friday, but about the amazing grace that covers us with Christ’s resurrection.

My husband and I attended our church’s Good Friday service, and one of the things we did was to write out sins and the things we had made more important than serving and obeying God on a paper and nail them to a wooden cross. Then, sometime on Saturday, the pastoral staff took all the papers and burned them. The ashes of the paper wouldn’t have even filled a ¼ Cup measuring cup. The point? Our sin is terrible and separates us from our Creator, but ultimately it is so small when compared to God’s amazing grace, glory, and love for us.

Easter is God’s declaration that His power surpasses everything we have ever known, and that He is able to redeem us from all our sins and failings. Hallelujah! Praise God for His power and love for us. This is a day to truly give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice to redeem all creation. Let us rejoice and be glad and ever remember and sing:

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

(Here’s some additional verses that most churches don’t usually sing)

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Good Friday: Was Ever Grief Like Mine?

I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what to post for today. Of all the days of Holy Week, Good Friday is the one where I feel the weight of Christ’s sacrifice the most. It is no small thing that he sacrificed his life to redeem his beloved. It is no small thing that he endured complete separation from God so that we may forever be united to Him by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.

Therefore I would like instead to post part of a poem written by George Herbert in the 17^th century called The Sacrifice. It provides a beautiful narrative of Good Friday’s events and the grief Jesus bore for us all. Enjoy.

The Jews accuse me with despitefulness;
And vying malice with my gentleness,
Pick quarrels with their only happiness:
Was ever grief like mine?

I answer nothing, but with patience prove
If stony hearts will melt with gentle love.
But who does hawk at eagles with a dove?
Was ever grief like mine?

My silence rather doth augment their cry;
My dove doth back into my bosom fly;
Because the raging waters still are high:
Was ever grief like mine?

Hark how they cry aloud still, 'Crucify:
It is not fit he live a day, ' they cry,
Who cannot live less than eternally:
Was ever grief like mine?

Pilate a stranger holdeth off; but they,
Mine own dear people, cry, 'Away, away, '
With noises confused frighting the day:
Was ever grief like mine?

Yet still they shout, and cry, and stop their ears,
Putting my life among their sins and fears,
And therefore wish my blood on them and theirs:
Was ever grief like mine?

See how spite cankers things. These words aright
Used, and wished, are the whole world's light:
But honey is their gall, brightness their night:
Was ever grief like mine?

They choose a murderer, and all agree
In him to do themselves a courtesy:
For it was their own cause who killed me:
Was ever grief like mine?

And a seditious murderer he was:
But I the Prince of peace; peace that doth pass
All understanding, more than heav'n doth glass:
Was ever grief like mine?

Why, Caesar is their only King, not I:
He clave the stony rock, when they were dry;
But surely not their hearts, as I well try:
Was ever grief like mine?

Ah! how they scourge me! yet my tenderness
Doubles each lash: and yet their bitterness
Winds up my grief to a mysteriousness.
Was ever grief like mine?

They buffet me, and box me as they list,
Who grasp the earth and heaven with my fist,
And never yet, whom I would punish, miss'd:
Was ever grief like mine?

Behold, they spit on me in scornful wise,
Who by my spittle gave the blind man eyes,
Leaving his blindness to mine enemies:
Was ever grief like mine?

My face they cover, though it be divine.
As Moses' face was veiled, so is mine,
Lest on their double-dark souls either shine:
Was ever grief like mine?

Servants and abjects flout me; they are witty:
'Now prophesy who strikes thee, ' is their ditty.
So they in me deny themselves all pity:
Was ever grief like mine?

And now I am deliver'd unto death,
Which each one calls for so with utmost breath,
That he before me well nigh suffereth:
Was ever grief like mine?

Weep not, dear friends, since I for both have wept
When all my tears were blood, the while you slept:
Your tears for your own fortunes should be kept:
Was ever grief like mine?

The soldiers lead me to the common hall;
There they deride me, they abuse me all:
Yet for twelve heavn'ly legions I could call:
Was ever grief like mine?

Then with a scarlet robe they me array;
Which shows my blood to be the only way.
And cordial left to repair man's decay:
Was ever grief like mine?

Then on my head a crown of thorns I wear:
For these are all the grapes Zion doth bear,
Though I my vine planted and watered there:
Was ever grief like mine?

So sits the earth's great curse in Adam's fall
Upon my head: so I remove it all
From th' earth unto my brows, and bear the thrall:
Was ever grief like mine?
Then with the reed they gave to me before,
They strike my head, the rock from whence all store
Of heavn'ly blessings issue evermore:
Was ever grief like mine?

They bow their knees to me, and cry, 'Hail king':
What ever scoffs or scornfulness can bring,
I am the floor, the sink, where they it fling:
Was ever grief like mine?

Yet since man's sceptres are as frail as reeds,
And thorny all their crowns, bloody their weeds;
I, who am Truth, turn into truth their deeds:
Was ever grief like mine?

The soldiers also spit upon that face,
Which Angels did desire to have the grace,
And Prophets once to see, but found no place:
Was ever grief like mine?

Thus trimmed forth they bring me to the rout,
Who 'Crucify him, ' cry with one strong shout.
God holds his peace at man, and man cries out.
Was ever grief like mine?

They lead me in once more, and putting then
Mine own clothes on, they lead me out again.
Whom devils fly, thus is he toss'd of men:
Was ever grief like mine?

And now weary of sport, glad to engross
All spite in one, counting my life their loss,
They carry me to my most bitter cross:
Was ever grief like mine?

My cross I bear my self, until I faint:
Then Simon bears it for me by constraint,
The decreed burden of each mortal Saint:
Was ever grief like mine?

O all ye who pass by, behold and see;
Man stole the fruit, but I must climb the tree;
The tree of life to all, but only me:
Was ever grief like mine?

Lo, here I hang, charg'd with a world of sin,
The greater world o' th' two; for that came in
By words, but this by sorrow I must win:
Was ever grief like mine?

Such sorrow, as if sinful man could feel,
Or feel his part, he would not cease to kneel,
Till all were melted, though he were all steel:
Was ever grief like mine?

But, O my God, my God! why leav'st thou me,
The son, in whom thou dost delight to be?
My God, my God -
Never was grief like mine.

Shame tears my soul, my body many a wound;
Sharp nails pierce this, but sharper that confound;
Reproaches, which are free, while I am bound.
Was ever grief like mine?

Now heal thy self, Physician; now come down.
Alas! I did so, when I left my crown
And father's smile for you, to feel his frown:
Was ever grief like mine?

In healing not my self, there doth consist
All that salvation, which ye now resist;
Your safety in my sickness doth subsist:
Was ever grief like mine?

Betwixt two thieves I spend my utmost breath,
As he that for some robbery suffereth.
Alas! what have I stolen from you? death:
Was ever grief like mine?

A king my title is, prefixt on high;
Yet by my subjects am condemn'd to die
A servile death in servile company; Was ever grief like mine?

They gave me vinegar mingled with gall,
But more with malice: yet, when they did call,
With Manna, Angels' food, I fed them all:
Was ever grief like mine?

They part my garments, and by lot dispose
My coat, the type of love, which once cur'd those
Who sought for help, never malicious foes:
Was ever grief like mine?

Nay, after death their spite shall further go;
For they will pierce my side, I full well know;
That as sin came, so Sacraments might flow:
Was ever grief like mine?

But now I die; now all is finished.
My woe, man's weal: and now I bow my head.
Only let others say, when I am dead,
Never was grief like mine.

The Cornerstone (Psalm 118: 22)

After being questioned by the Pharisees, Priests, and Scribes, Jesus begins telling Parables. In Matthew (21:33-44), Mark (12:1-11), and Luke (20:9-18) he tells the Parable of the Vine-growers, where the vine-growers rebel against the Master by beating his servants, and finally by killing his son. Jesus ends by stating, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.” This is a quote from Psalm 118:22-23 (Luke doesn’t have the second sentence, in his account he only quotes Psalm 118:22).

This seems to be one of those verses that people know is important, but aren’t sure why it is important. This verse is repeated numerous times in the New Testament, but to truly understand it you have to look back into the Old.

God has been compared to a rock or a stone many times the Old Testament as a way to emphasize His strength, power, weight, immovability, and protection. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon dreams a dream in which a large stone strikes a statue made of many precious metals and utterly destroys it. Then the stone grows and fills the whole earth (Daniel 2:31-35). The stone is God’s kingdom which will never be moved, replaced, or conquered because God himself—the King—cannot be moved, replaced, or conquered. Isaiah 8:13-14 picks up on this idea by stating, “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary; but to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” God is the rock that will test us. If we are faithful, He will be a safe sanctuary, but if we are not, He will be a stumbling block to trip us up and break us. Obedience, as always, is key.

Now the cornerstone idea. Back in the day, before reinforced steel, re-bar, and cement construction, buildings—especially the ones meant to last—were built out of stone. Think of it as building with Legos, except on a much larger scale. The cornerstone would be laid in the corner as an anchor point for the other stones being built on top of it. The cornerstone was horizontally and vertically level, and perfectly shaped to serve as a guide for the rest of the construction.

So that’s the physical answer as to what a cornerstone was. There is a symbolic idea of a cornerstone that is based on this though. Let’s look at Isaiah 19:13, “The princes of Zoan have acted foolishly, the princes of Memphis are deluded; Those who are the cornerstone of her tribes have led Egypt astray.” The cornerstone idea is applied to the princes of Zoan and Memphis, that is, the leaders of Egypt. The leaders provided strength for the community because they upheld the law and order, and gave the people a source of wisdom and leadership during both good times and bad. Zechariah 10:4 also has this idea of the leaders of a tribe or community being a cornerstone: “From them will come the cornerstone, from them the tent peg, from them to bow of battle, from them every ruler, all of them together.” Even with today’s modern tents, if they aren’t pegged into the ground, the tent is not secure: it can be moved, blown over, or taken away.

So we see that the cornerstone is a leader who will bring strength to the people. This is a leader to hope for because then justice will be restored and the people will once again live in obedience. If the leader, like the cornerstone, is imperfect and flawed, then the rest of the building or whatever depends upon it will also be imperfect and the flaws will be accentuated. People often reject God’s plan for what seems to be a quicker, better, prettier, or more lucrative way, and in rejecting God’s plan, they reject God. However God’s plans will not be thwarted. What men reject, God still uses, and makes the most important part of the building process – the cornerstone.

Now consider Jesus. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” What do we look for in a leader? Good leadership skills, good moral inclinations and behavior, and good looking. Yes it’s true. The leader represents the company, product, nation, or people group, and we all want to be represented well. Why do you think leaders of billion dollar companies spend so much on their clothing and appearance? Because they represent. Jesus didn’t look the part. Isaiah 53:2-3 says, “…He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised and we did not esteem Him.” Jesus did not fit the leadership ideals of mankind filled with worldly wisdom. The Pharisees knew who he was claiming to be and they rejected him for their own reasons, not for God’s reasons.

Therefore, the stone that was rejected for ungodly reasons is actually the cornerstone from which the Kingdom is going to be built. It is perfectly shaped, and level and will give rise to a perfect kingdom. That is why, as Matthew (21:44) and Luke (20:18) state, “…anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls, will be crushed.” This stone is powerful, immovable, and secure. You cannot fight against it because there is nothing to fight, either you submit, or are eventually broken and crushed. The imagery is such that you can imagine someone tripping over it and breaking a leg, or being crushed and flattened underneath its great weight. Rejecting it, denying its existence, saying it is something else, or that it is evil, doesn’t change the fact that it is there and will call you to account.

When Jesus died on the cross, he became the perfect cornerstone upon which to build the Kingdom of God. As in Daniel, that stone and that kingdom is growing, and will soon fill the entire earth. Will we partake? Or will we be over run and crushed by it?

Praise be to Christ our cornerstone!