I am doing a Easter Devotional with my kids. TRAIL TO THE TREE by Ann Voskamp.
I must have read this passage a thousand times, but today, on MY TRAIL TO THE TREE, God speaks Love to my heart.........
In John 11:32-44 Mary was broken that her brother had died and why had Jesus not showed up. Mary was weeping and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping........JESUS WEPT.
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
It is ME I see.......I stink of dead and rot and SIN.......BUT.........
Jesus said, " ROLL AWAY THE STONE,"........
And then listen to what Jesus said. I was so excited and joy filled.......
He tells Lazarus to, COME OUT.......HE TELLS ME TO COME OUT OF MY DEATH FILLED TOMB TO HIM.....TO JESUS.
AND THEN.......MY FAVORITE PART.....THE PART THAT GOD SPEAKS LOVE TO MY HEART.......
TAKE OFF THE GRAVE CLOTHES.........
And because JESUS went to the TREE......I don't have to WEAR MY GRAVE CLOTHES ANYMORE.
I am released from chains, graves and the bondage of SIN.....No more stinky GRAVE CLOTHES.
And daily I need to choose what clothes to wear......
I must CHOOSE..... GRAVE CLOTHES OR MY CLOTHES OF SALVATION.
I am reminded of the clothes Jesus wore on the way to the tree for me......
They stripped him of his clothes giving him a toga, and with a whip they bore into the back of Jesus over and over again until the skin just hung there. Then after mocking him, spitting on him and thrusting a crown of thorns into his head they gave him back his clothes BUT NOT BEFORE VIOLENTLY RIPPING THE TOGA FROM HIS ALREADY BLOODY AND TORN BACK.
JESUS CONQUERED THE GRAVE........for me, for you.......
We thank you Jesus for our CLOTHES OF SALVATION AND OUR VICTORY COAT.......
The Lord makes me very happy.
I am completely happy with my God.
He dressed me in the clothes of salvation.
He put the victory coat on me. Isaiah 61:10
OH HAPPY DAY............
