And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)
           
There are only a few things that are necessary for basic survival in life food, water, shelter, air, clothing, and sleep. If you asked many today their phones and laptops would also make that list. Other people might say a tv is necessary to survive and if they did not own one, they would not know what to do. Others might say they could not survive without being able to listen to their favorite music. We all have our own lists of what is necessary but for Jesus what was necessary for him to enter his glory included something unbearable.

Jesus poses the question “was it not necessary?”  Jesus the son of God who brought people back from the dead asks if it was necessary for him to die so that he can enter glory. The question seems a little perplexing it does not seem necessary since Jesus has all power and authority under heaven and on earth could command heaven’s armies to defend him but instead, humbly accepts the cross and suffers for all of us. Although we might not find it necessary for Jesus it was necessary because of how much he loved us. It was necessary to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

On disappointing days when we feel like we are losing it can be hard to understand what is happening in our lives. We can become angry or worried, distressed or disappointed, and incredibly frustrated in the circumstances of our lives that it becomes hard to understand what is God doing during our hard times? Even in tragic times God is working in our midst we might not understand it, but he is in control.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to trust in your plans and timing.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“The angel told the women,” Don’t be afraid because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
 (Matthew 28:5-6)
 
Caterpillars when they are ready to begin their transformation process first make cocoons. After a while they will change into butterfly. Their cocoons will remain empty but the caterpillar that was once there leaves and becomes something we all love to see in the spring butterflies flying and landing on flowers. Their cocoons lay empty. No one celebrates a butterfly’s cocoon being empty although the caterpillar became something beautiful the empty tomb of Jesus deserves all the praise and glory.

The women who went to the tomb. The tomb was sealed and no way for the women to open the tomb. They went expecting to see Jesus laid in a tomb but instead was meet by an angel. They went expecting to mourn a dear friend and teacher however, he was not there. That day the angel shared the news with the women that Jesus had risen from the dead just as he had said he would. They only had to come and see the place that he once laid to know the power of God. To know the promise that he had told them. It is the empty tomb that reminds us that Jesus defeated death and has all authority under heaven and on earth. The death of Jesus does not end on the cross for where he once laid is empty and still is empty. This is a sign of everlasting hope that cannot be denied that Jesus who came to die on the cross for us so we can have a right relationship with God defeated death and we will be with him again.

​Jesus was not held by death but lives. Death can be hard especially when it is someone we know and loved but we can have hope for if we believe in Jesus and that he conquered death we will come to live with him for he promises he will be with us always. Death does not have the final answer for Jesus defeated death.
 
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the empty tomb and that our savior lives.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” “He answered them, I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”” (Luke 19:39-40)
           
Could you imagine rocks crying out and shouting? That would be a sight that no one would expect to see. Talk about watching a rock band made up of all rocks that would be rocking. There are many places we can go that expect us to be quiet the library, movies, and even museums try and ensure that the noise levels in rooms are comfortable for everyone. You would hardly find people shouting or making a lot of noise it is often discouraged to make noise in these places. Even some places of worship creature a posture towards silence in moments of prayer and communion.

There are times when we are not silent and can be loud. At sporting events people cheer loud for their favorite teams and even some sing loud to their favorite songs not caring who is listening. These shouts at sporting events might help to encourage the team but these shouts do not bring glory to them, nor do they bring praise to the one who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to rebuke his disciples for praising him. They did not believe praising Jesus was appropriate and it should be stopped. Jesus replied that even the rocks will cry out. Jesus is worthy of our praise.

These shouts of praise are filled with joy, and even gladness for all that God has done and will continue to do in someone’s life. It includes singing praises to God that ascribe glory to him, professing Jesus as Lord and Savior, and making a public acknowledgment of God. At times we might want to keep quiet because of fear or even judgement from other people but, Jesus states that even if we decide not to praise God creation itself will praise God.

Heavenly Father, may we not keep silent but lift our praises to you.

​Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
           
Spring reminds us of new life. Birds are out, and flying, new nests appear in different areas of houses. If we are lucky, we can find eggs that are awaiting to hatch. All the trees that were barren during the winter start growing leaves and seeds that lay dormant start to sprout. Some people during the spring start the season off by cleaning out everything that they no longer want or need trying to bring in the new season with a fresh start.

The tulips that are in bloom are new life they are not the same tulips from last season or even used. They are brand new flowers that once started as seeds that were buried during winter and lay dormant awaiting the right time to blossom for everyone to enjoy. The old flowers that were in the garden beds are no longer there they have passed making room for a new creation. The same thing happens in our lives when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior our old self must get out of the way to make room for a new creation. Old habits that helped us for a time that are not virtuous must be put to death for new wholesome habits to be able to form.

It is difficult to create new habits while trying to maintain old habits that are not beneficial. It will become a struggle to do good while maintaining wrong habits. We must admit to ourselves that something must change for a transition to begin. It is not through our own power that we are able to become new we can try with all our might but, it is difficult to become a new person on our own. It is through the saving work of Jesus Christ that we can become new and have a new identity.
 
Heavenly Father, may we leave our old life in the past. Thank you for creating a new identity in us.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins