Zombies, ghosts, skeletons, signs of death and creepiness were kind of in our face all week…and provided plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion among these young, inquiring minds.
When I opened the Bible to read one morning, it was there as well. Huh? It kind of took me aback even though I’ve read it often before. The man possessed by demons, living among the tombs, wildly crying out and cutting himself with stones, often bound in chains but breaking loose by super-human strength, wandering about day and night….he was tormented in the worst kinds of ways.
BUT JESUS! Jesus, God the Son, showed up and everything for this man changed. Set free. Released from torment. Sitting (at rest). Clothed and in his right mind. The change in him was so great that the people who had known him before, saw it, and were afraid. And marveled!
I know some play with the costumes and enjoy the spooky decorations…but we are often brought face to face with the fact that personal torment of the mind and soul are no funny matter to those who experience it. If you find yourself in that place, I want you to know there is LIVING HOPE in Jesus. He is FOR US, not against us! His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave on the third day provide the power to be set free from the torments and bondage.
He even took our SHAME upon himself, so we can live free from that!! Because to be honest, isn’t it often shame (not being able to forgive ourselves or believe we are forgiven) that trips us up? He intercedes for us and has compassion for us beyond our wildest dreams!! What a Savior! My heart is bursting with gratitude to know and to be known by Him! We are free! There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Praise Him along with me, for He is worthy! And if you need a friend to pray for you, I would be honored to do that as well. I feel the excitement of Easter right now, at the beginning of November…because HE IS RISEN!
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