Events aren’t always what they seem. A brief snapshot out of time cannot include what comes next, the rest of the story. We judge single happenings too quickly, in our shortsightedness and finitude. This concept hit me last fall, and I’ve waited to share this until now, maybe it can impact how we view the events that followed Palm Sunday by five days.
Their smiles began
as the mob approached the Garden
torches and swords in hand
to arrest their greatest foe
Their laughs began
in the trials
seeing what would come
Their howls began
as the Romans accepted
the cries for death
They danced with glee
on his last breath
confident that death
would hold him in that tomb
When Sunday came
they cried
their dancing died
On Friday, the universe moaned and darkened and shook as its now sin-filled Creator gasped his last breath. All grew dark, all hope vanished for his followers, as they hid in fear of their own lives.
Yet his enemies, both human and demonic, rejoiced in completing their rebellion. They had won the long battle for power against their Creator.
Then came Sunday, and the universe shifted into joy as its Creator struck back against the combined forces of darkness and despair and evil. The war had ended. Oh, stragglers carried on their vain attempt, but the decisive victory had been won, now merely the mopping up aspect of the agenda continued.
And that same Sunday power continues, in each of us, his followers, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you” (Romans 8:11).
This allows me to understand why the fruit of the Spirit is joy, because that same resurrection power abides in us. How can we not rejoice in what seems to be the worst of times?
Kick Starting the Application
How easily does a negative first impression of an event guide your interpretation of what follows? How well do you recognize that resurrection power is in you? How can you remind yourself of that power?