May 27, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (I Will be with You!)

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May 27, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (I Will be with You!)

Sections - The Daily B.R.E.A.D.

Written by Bobot Apit

Sunday, 24 May 2009 05:35

W hy Christianity didn’t die out as a small cult? Its leader wEre tortured and publicly executed in the most humiliating possible way. Its followers were scared and in hiding. Yet it survived and flourished. Something very real must have happened on that very first Easter.

Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab

J ohn 17:11b-19 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (12) While I was with them,I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and one of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. (13) But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (14) I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (15) I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (18) As you did send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (19) And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also maybe consecrated in truth.

* Meditation by Pat Borchers

I have been an educator for most of my professional life. Paul’s speech to the Church of Ephesus reminds me of a commencement speech or perhaps words that I have given to my students on the last day of class. As difficult as the educational process can be for both teacher and student, there is an undeniable joy in it and sadness in its ending. Clearly Paul is communicating that he has poured his heart and soul into teaching them over three years and in quoting Jesus’s famous axiom that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” he summarizes well the happiness that all teachers feel as their students progress.

But he also captures the angst that one feels in students slipping from one’s grasp. As they process out in those robes and with those tassels turned you know in your heart that there are indeed wolves out there and you can no longer protect them. They are much more on their own and you the teacher have to hope that your teachings will keep them safe. I feel this doubly so this year as I have two of my five children graduating (one from high school and one from college). As a parent you want them to be kept safe from the wolves and pray that your teachings and those of others will protect them and that they will not be led astray.

Clearly Paul was a great teacher. But consider as well what all of this says about the reality of the Resurrection. I was musing with my parish priest a couple of weeks ago about why Christianity didn’t die out as a small cult. Its leader was tortured and publicly executed in the most humiliating possible way. Its followers were scared and in hiding. Yet it survived and flourished. Something very real must have happened on that very first Easter. Paul was a great teacher because he taught the Truth.

Supplementary Reading
Victory Over Death

Death has been swallowed up in victory.– 1 Corinthians 15:54

W hen Jesus cried, "It is finished!" the disciples thought the story was over. But God hadn't had the last word.

With a heavy heart and grieving spirit, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early Easter morning. It was still dark. Mary was shocked to see the stone had been rolled away and that the tomb was empty. Thinking Jesus' body had been stolen, she sat weeping. Two angels asked why she was crying. Answering, she turned and saw a man she thought was the gardener. He spoke her name.

"Mary."

Mary knew it was Jesus. He was alive!

There are times you may think you've come to the end. You're discouraged, disappointed, and broken. But as you sit weeping, Jesus whispers your name and hope springs back to life.

God will have the last word—and it will be good.

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Let Christ's come-alive power energize your life today.

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Note: This excerpt was taken from the "Power for Life Daily Devotional"