Sunday, March 21, 2010

It's All About Jesus (by Carolyn)


I saw a cute Easter card. It's a cartoon picture of the Easter bunny sitting in a pew at church surrounded by other people. His basket is close beside him. He looks sad. His brows are knit together and his eyes are somewhat crestfallen, yet surprised. The caption says, "The moment was bittersweet when the bunny realized it was not about him."


My husband saw a bumper sticker that said, "What if it really IS all about the hootchy kootchy?" We laugh, a little uncomfortably. 'Who is it all about? What is it all about?' It's all about Jesus and Life! At Easter, Jesus burst forth from the tomb to conquer death forever. He rose to life again. He triumphed over sin, over the grave, over Satan himself and through Him we do too!

Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life." The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus too, may be sad when they realize it's not all about them, but my guess is when most people realize it's all about Jesus they are surprised, relieved, mystified, amazed and overjoyed in ascending order. There is so much freedom when you discover you really don't have the whole world in your hands! There is a God who created us, who loves us, who guides and protects us, who wants us to spend eternity with Him, who is in control of it all for our good and His glory! He is the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient God. He is Jesus Christ, our Lord.

When I was a child we sang three hymns in church at Easter: "This Is My Father's World", For the Beauty of the Earth", and Fairest Lord Jesus." How I enjoyed imagining the "rustling grass" as He passed by me in a field filled with violets in springtime! I listened as "all nature" sang God's song doing what it was made to do, glorify its Creator! Cannon Beach, Oregon cannot contain the splendor of sunset at Haystack Rock as He literally shouts "Here I am! Look at Me! I did this for your pleasure and My pleasure at seeing you pleased!"

Who can understand the mystery of the eye and the ear that link sense to sound and sight? Or the day, the night, the hills, and dales, the trees and flowers, birds and beasts, the sun and moon and stars at night? What about human love; brother, sister, parent, child and friend above? Or the mystic harmony that links them altogether?

Who is that Mystic Harmony that links them altogether? Jesus! "For by Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or powers or rulers, or authorites, all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1 16-17. Sing that final Easter song with me, won't you?

"Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling, starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav'n can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Happy Easter Everyone!








2 comments:

  1. This is absolutely beautiful, and a perfect entry for Easter. I love your words in ascending order - and on a way more human level, I love your picture. You are right - no matter how fair such a view is, He is fairer. We honor the Creator, not the created.

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  2. I think God wants me to rethink my original post, because it never registered. So... above all, theology. This wonderful post speaks volumes about Easter. Second, you are right - beautiful as Cannon Beach is, Jesus is fairer. We must honor the Creator, not the created. Third... good job getting the photo up. So three encouragements!!

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