I Have Seen the Lord!

Spiritual Vitamin: "I have seen the Lord." John 20:18

Reflect: Mary Magdalene is weeping as she sees the empty grave. But it isn't empty. On either end of the bench, where she'd seen them lay the body of Christ, are two white robed angels.

"Why do you cry?" one asks. "Because they've taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they put him." Mary sees a gardener and asks Him where Jesus might be. All at once she hears the word "Mary." It was Jesus! Jesus tells her to go and find his brothers and tell them that He will ascend to His Father and your Father." (Tricia McCary Rhodes, Contemplating the Cross, page 184-185)

Soon, Mary begins to share the news "I have seen the Lord" with the other disciples. Can you imagine what those interchanges would have been like? What must have Mary felt like when she heard Jesus' voice say her name? 

Remember today, that God speaks your name as well. Give him your fears, your disappointments and grief. He is listening. Listen. He speaks your name. 

Doubting Thomas

Spiritual Vitamin: "Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, ws not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finer here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." John 20:24-27

Reflection: We've all heard of the phrase "Doubting Thomas." But, what if you were in Thomas's shoes? Wouldn't you have had some doubts? We read that Thomas believed and recognized that Jesus was who He said He was. 

Jesus didn't rebuke Thomas. He did't humiliate him for his doubt. Jesus wanted to show him. 

What doubts do you have with your faith? Where are you skeptical? Come to God with your questions and doubts. Christ is willing to walk with you in your struggle with faith. 

After the Resurrection

Spiritual Vitamin: "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.'" Matthew 28:5-7

Reflect: The angel knew exactly what the women were feeling at that moment. Sorry. Grief. Confusion. Uncertainty. Jesus also told them not to be afraid. Mary Magdalene and Mary with great joy gave witness to the risen Christ. They didn't let their fears get in the way of spreading the greatest story ever told. 

What do you fear today? How are your fears hindering you from all that God has for you?

Crown Him with Many Crowns

Spiritual Vitamin: "I have seen the Lord." John 20:18

Reflect: Read or sing the words to the hymn below. Worship God for his faithfulness in the resurrection:

Crown Him with many crowns; The Lamp upon His throne: Hark: how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own! Awake my soul, and sing. Of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as thy matchless King thru all eternity. 

Crown Him the Lord of love: behold his hands and side-Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified; No angel in the sky, can fully bear that sight, but downward bends his wond'ring eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of life; who triumphed o'er the grave. Who rose victorious to the strife for those He came to save. His glories now we sing; who died and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of heav'n; One with the Father known, One with the Spirit thru Him giv'n from yonder glorious throne. To Thee be endless praise, for thou for us hast died. Be Thou, O Lord, thru endless days adored and magnified. (Crown Him With Many Crowns, Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring)

Final Words

Spiritual Vitamin: "And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Luke 23:46

Reflect: "Can you imagine what it must have felt like to hear Jesus shot these final words? Consider the strength He felt, the complete sense of control He had over His own destiny. Even at the conclusion of such terrible suffering-even while His body shrieks with pain, He cries out with strength and power. Consider the joy He must have felt as He offered His spirit back tot he Father from whence He came. What an incredible reunion they must have had. Rejoice with the living God at this moment of victory." Tricia McCary Rhodes, Contemplating the Cross, page, 154-155) 

The Crucifixion

Spiritual Vitamin: "When the true meaning of the Crucifixion dawns upon us, then the whole sordid, bloody, painful death shall make us tremble before its glory." Ben M. Herbster

Reflect: Read the following words of Thomas a Kempis. Reflect on them in your own life: "Jesus hath now many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. Many He hath that are desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. Many He findeth that share His table, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to endure any thing for Him. Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion. Many reverence his miracles, few follow the shame of His Cross. (The Imitation of Christ)

Denying Jesus

Spiritual Vitamin: "And Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, that you yourself, before a cock crows twice, shall three times deny me." Mark 14:30

Reflect: Place yourself in the courtyard that night. See yourself being asked about your relationship to Christ. How woul dit feel to deny Him, as Peter did? Do you at times deny Him by your life? Your words or lack of words? Write a prayer of response." (Tricia McCary Rhodes, Contemplating the Cross, pg. 60)