[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2023]
Last week we considered the effects of losing contact with our digital world, how we can feel bereft without access to those online links that have become so central to our modern lifestyles. This week the situation was dramatically worse – we had no physical access to the outside world. A two-day blizzard had, quite literally, closed every road in the county; outside of the towns no traffic could move and those who were planning to travel had to stay where they were.
A few generations ago, people of a Godly nature would often add “DV” when formulating their plans. For those whose Latin is dustier than mine, this expression stands for ‘Deo volente’ or, in English, ‘God willing’. This was an intrinsic acknowledgement that whatever plans were being made, they were subject to God’s will. This recognition of God’s sovereignty seems to have fallen out of practice in modern times. We make our plans and, maybe, invite God to tag along. Sometimes he does do as he is told but we should not be surprised when our ways start to diverge or our plans are blocked.
There is a much-quoted verse recorded in the prophecy of Jeremiah:
‘For I know the plans that I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope’ Jeremiah 29 v11 [NASB]
In the first instance those words were addressed to the Israelite exiles in Babylon, promising an eventual return to their country, but in the longer term they can also refer to God’s plan of salvation.
Those who follow the western ecclesiastical calendar have just celebrated Easter, those who prefer the eastern ecclesiastical calendar will do so next weekend. Is it appropriate to celebrate someone’s death? We usually mark someone’s death by celebrating what they achieved during their life. However, there are no doubt many people who could celebrate if some of the world’s baddies were bumped off. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ was made sin for us;[1] John too reminds us that he carried all the sins of the world to the Cross.[2] Does that make him the world’s worst baddie in terms of punishment received?
Christ was dead – certified dead. His body was in the tomb and those who had applauded him so recently were now off the streets. Did those who wanted to do away with him celebrate? Did Caiaphas break open a few caskets? I suspect that the response was a bit more subdued in Pilate’s household.[3]
The disciples had locked themselves away. This Jesus, who had been such a central part of the lives, had now gone. They had had high hopes for this man, even that he could be the one to redeem Israel,[4] but these hopes were dashed; they had forgotten the promise of a resurrection.
Image how they felt when he, fully alive, invited them to a beach-barbecue a few days later. That encounter changed their lives, and they changed the world. Christ’s death, undoubtedly real, was followed by his resurrection and the implications of that are eternal.
But for you, is that event just history, his-story, or is it truly a reason for celebration?
Resources:
[1] 2 Corinthians 5 v21
[2] 1 John 2 v2
[3] Matthew 27 v19
[4] Luke 24 v21
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Last week’s reflection: Life Off the Line
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
A helpful and interesting reflection Steve!
What is the NASB? Could it br the New American Standard Bible?
Yes – New American Standard Version, although ‘new’ hardly as I bought my copy in the mid-70s as it was the only one with a concordance and maps. I still refer to it when I cannot access the online resources.