Cross-Shaped Love has dominated my thoughts this Easter as once again I’ve been pondering the Resurrection

I have been overwhelmed by the”breadth and length and height and depth” (Ephesians 3:18) and God’s amazing creativity and ability to communicate his love to me.

Knowing intellectually about God’s love is important.  Experiencing God’s love personally makes it real. But to cement his love in my heart, I need to remember.

The cross, the resurrection, and Peter, Mary, and Thomas who were there that first Easter help me remember.

I need to remember Peter who knew God’s love; he experienced it first hand as he walked with Jesus; but, like me, sometimes he forgot.

God is omniscient and he knows faith is fragile. In his love, he says to Peter, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:32) Peter was about to walk into the biggest test of his faith yet. God knew, Peter didn’t.

In a way I’m like Peter; in a way I’m not. Like for Peter, God knows what is ahead for me, I don’t. I find great comfort in the truth that the Spirit is praying for me too in my fragile faith. (Romans 8:26)

Initially Peter denied that his faith would fail. His relationship with Jesus was tight; wouldn’t that stand the test of the trial? “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33)

How would you respond if you heard God saying he was going to be praying for you that your faith would not fail? I think I would know that I needed that prayer. God’s love for Peter and for me is evident in his prayers.

I know the message of Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” I need to experience it and I need to remember the experience especially when like Peter my faith fails.

I need to remember Mary Magdalene. She stood outside the empty tomb crying, and through her tears didn’t recognize Jesus standing right by her; she assumed he was the gardener. Gently Jesus initiates toward her, “Mary”. He called her by name and she recognized him. (John 20:11-16)

How many times in the presence of my tears do I not recognize Jesus standing right by me?

I’ve memorized I John 3:1, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” I know the truth of these words and I want to experience and remember the Father calling me by name every day.

I need to remember the story of Thomas, one of the twelve, encourages me. He knew Jesus; he had traveled with Jesus; he was a personal witness to his many miracles. But he struggled with the Resurrection. “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails … I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

Jesus, in his great love for Thomas, knew and met him on his turf inviting him to touch him; and again with gentle words, “Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27)

He desired Thomas to not only have a memory of knowing him, he wanted him to again experience his presence, and be reminded of his love.

God desires that I know his love,
that I experience his love,
and that I remember his love.

As Lent draws to a close and Resurrection Sunday is upon us, our church family will celebrate communion together Friday evening, Good Friday. And in the very real grief of Jesus’ death on the cross, there is also the reminder of the hope of Easter. Jesus’ cross-shaped love is as real for me, for us, as it was for Peter, for Mary, and for Thomas.

“Do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19 (italics mine)

Blessings to you as you celebrate Easter,
Sue

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, originally April 2019