I know, that I know, that I know, that my Savior Lives

With Easter weekend behind me, I wanted to share some thoughts. As we celebrate Christ's sacrifice, what is sticking out to me is Reality. Not a glorified, slow motion story that I imagine as I read the Bible...but reality. Jesus is real. He was human. These stories played out in front of a few guys that really weren't that important in the social order of the time. Regular ole dudes witnessed the events that changed every one of our lives. There is no pomp and circumstance, no special effects, no cameras in the background...just real life.

Of course, this is not my first time to acknowledge that Jesus was human and walked this earth. I think it is just really hitting home. At church, a family recently relocated by the military to Israel sent us a special video message from the spots where the Easter story unfolded. They had passover at the Upper Room, they shared scripture in the Garden of Gethsemane, they showed us where Peter denied Christ, they sat at the entrance to the garden tomb, and they stood beside the sea of Galilee to bid us farewell.

I found these pictures of the places they stood when they recorded their message. First is the garden, where Christ prayed with such fervor that he sweat drops of blood. He and the disciples encountered Roman guards here, and Jesus healed the severed ear of the guard.

It was here where Peter denied Christ three times when he was identified as one of Christ's followers. A statue stands there now, depicting the scene.

 

Here is the entrance to the garden tomb, where it is believed that Christ was buried (for a little while at least).  

Here's the Sea of Galilee, mentioned so many times in scripture, but in the Easter story, it's where Christ encountered the disciples after he arose. He had made breakfast for them on shore. He called out to them to cast their nets on the other side (a repeat of when he first met them) and their nets overflowed with fish. Look at this place. I just want to sit at the shores and let God love on me. I want to stick my toes in the water and watch the little minnows scatter. It's real, and it's beautiful!

 This is a drawing depicting the Sea of Galilee story I described above. It's a glorified rendering. Now when I hear or read the stories I'll have a different mental image--a real image in all its (un)glory.

Christ sent us his story through his disciples. His relationship with them transferred his wisdom in such a way that they were able to begin other relationships, sharing His truth. There was nothing fancy about this event that set our souls free from sin. but it happenened and changed the course of history.

I'm learning that God works through everyday "real" situations. It doesn't matter if a good deed is acknowledged on Facebook or if a small act is ever noticed. Our relationships with others sets the standard. We don't need to know all the fancy words or quote scripture at the drop of a hat. We just need to develop relationships with people so that they can see His truth in us. Im so very (un)glorious, so I know He can use me!