Apr 11 - "Is Hope Lost?"

Matthew 27: 59-60
"And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. "
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You have followed Him for 3 years, listening to His words.

You saw the Holy Spirit come down, like a dove, when He was baptised in the Jordan as God's voice thundered from Heaven.

You have seen Him preach to to thousands and to individuals. You have seen Him give sight to the blind, heal the lame.

You sat and listened as He spoke with the high and the low, the rich and the poor.

You stood with your friends as you saw Elijah and Moses come down from above and stand next to Him.

With each word, each gentle hand of healing, each peaceful prayer of encouragement, your belief that Jesus of Nazareth was Messiah grew each day. Although you had given up all of your possessions to follow him, your life has been enriched beyond your imagination.

But today, He is dead.

He lies in a tomb.

What happened? Wasn't He supposed to have beaten Death? The power and healing you witnessed these past years, where are they now?

With each step from Jerusalem to Golgotha, you waited for Him to throw off the Cross; break it into pieces and rise up, triumphant, healed and whole, the crown of thorns turning into one of shining gold and precious jewels, befit a king.

You are broken today.

You faith crushed.

Your head buzzes in abject astonishment of what has happened.

You have shed every tear in your body.

You are unable to mourn because you cannot believe what has happened.

You are dizzy and weak.

There is nothing left.

What now? What should you do? All that is left to do is to pray. Ask God for peace, for guidance, for hope. It seems impossible that it will come, but, He will grant it.

So, today, pray. Remember the power of weakness. Rest assured that in your time of deepest need, God will provide.