“God is not proud…He will have us even though we have shown that we prefer everything else to Him.” ~ CS Lewis

Easter is here.  Are you ready to… barbecue?

This year, I am drawn to the events that happened right after Jesus came back from the dead.  I’ve known the Easter story well enough to shake my head and sigh.  “Those kooky disciples!  Didn’t they know all this was going to happen?  Some people!”

But, the more Easters I celebrate — the more I’m aware of how I’m just like them.

Locked Doors

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together,

with the doors locked for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  ~John 20:19

The disciples had already heard that Jesus was alive from Mary Magdalene, the first to see Him resurrected.  But, here they were behind locked doors.

Lord, thank you for coming through those locked doors.

Here I am, today, hiding behind the locked doors of my heart.

Come through to me.  Let me hear You say, “Peace”.

One Left

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and

Thomas was with them.  Though the doors were locked,

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ~ John 20:26

Jesus already came in once through closed doors in the flesh already, but one of them missed the big reveal the first time.

Lord Jesus, I’m relieved to see that doubt doesn’t put you off.  It draws you nearer.

Give me more faith to trust that the joy you have for me is real.

Keep coming back for me.  Even if I’m the only one left.

The First Easter BBQ

The next time we see the disciples, some of them ventured outside (note: just seven went fishing, including Thomas!).

So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.  John 21:9-13

I would just die discovering the person I doubted would come back to make breakfast for me.  And catch me in the act of returning back to my old life.  I don’t think I could even look him in the eye, you know?

As I read the passage for Easter, I saw myself in this story.  I feel in some areas, I’ve disappointed Jesus.

I feel like Jesus had high hopes for me, taught and shown me so much.  And yet, I haven’t launched out, returning to my safe routines.

I felt a lump in my throat pondering this.  It was Jesus touching my heart and saying, “Come and have breakfast.”  I look up and see him smiling — still sitting here with me.  He’s never left.

You know the old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, this keeping record of wrongs unbelievably does not apply to the Lord God of the universe and beyond.

My mind just can’t compute this.

So, I bow my head, bend my knee, and surrender to His love.

There is no logic, other than He loves me. And I love Him.

Happy Easter!

What is Jesus saying to you this Easter?