Comeback

Posted on April 9, 2023 by dinahoverlien

It has been said that Resurrection morning
is the greatest comeback of all time.

Greater than a Hail Mary touchdown pass into the end zone
with no time left on the clock.

Greater than a half-court shot swishing through the hoop
as the buzzer sounds.

Greater than a walk-off home run with two outs
in the bottom of the ninth.

It may seem to us like the resurrection
was the greatest comeback victory in the history of the world.

Except it wasn’t.

The Resurrection was not a surprise finish,
an unlikely upset,
a come-from-behind rally.

This was in the playbook all along.

“The Lamb was slain from the creation of the world.”
Rev. 13:8

“He chose us in Him before the creation of the world.”
Eph. 1:4

“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.”
Matt. 25:34

So, if we could go back before Genesis 1:1,
before the creation of the world,
there we would find the place and time set:
Resurrection Day — Jerusalem,
33 A. D., early in the morning,
Joseph’s tomb.

God doesn’t make comebacks because He’s always way ahead.

There is another date set:
The Great and Glorious Day of Messiah’s Final Come Back,
Mount of Olives,
date and time unknown.
Of course, we don’t know the date,
but we know God knows.
He’s known from the creation of the world.

Don’t miss it.

The Borrower

Posted on March 30, 2018 by dinahoverlien

cross

Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb.
He had planned ahead for the entrance into Jerusalem.
He had pre-arranged details for the Last Supper.
He knew everything that was going to happen to Him.

But He hadn’t prepared for His burial,
so Christ was laid in a borrowed grave.

Borrowed.

Borrow: to obtain or receive something on loan for temporary use, intending to give it back.

Jesus didn’t need a permanent grave.
He just needed to borrow one for a few days.
Joseph of Arimathea would get his tomb back because
Jesus had no intention of staying there for very long.
It would be a brief stopover.

When I die, tell everyone that I’m just borrowing that grave, because I’m going to be giving it back. On the day the angel shouts and the trumpet sounds, I’ll be among those rising up. Ain’t no grave gonna hold me down.

cemetery

“We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us.”
2 Cor. 4:14
“Because I live, you also will live.”
John 14:19

“Ain’t No Grave” by David Crowder

Holy Week Confession

Posted on March 26, 2016 by dinahoverlien

thorns I’m grateful for Saturday — the day after Good Friday. The intense emotions of Holy Week wear me out and a breather is welcome.

Engaging in the events that marked the last week of Jesus’ life on earth was a struggle for me this year. I didn’t know if I had it in me to walk through the suffering and death of my Jesus yet again. Every year it seems to hurt more. I seriously considered just going through the motions and pushing through the dark days until the relief and rejoicing of the empty tomb on Easter morning.

In other words, I wanted to skip the suffering and go straight to the celebration.

It doesn’t work.

Because going through the motions is exactly how to engage the emotions. As a pastor’s wife, Holy Week services are not optional. I intended to show up, but I planned to keep my heart guarded and not enter in to the agonizing story once more. But showing up was all it took for God to break down my resistance.

On Thursday, I sat in the quiet sanctuary, drew near to the table, tasted the bread, swallowed the juice. I took Him in.

On Friday, I heard the words of Isaiah and Luke, surveyed the wondrous cross, sang, “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.” He took me in.

Going through the motions is what ushered me straight into His presence.

On this blessed quiet Saturday, I am remembering that the day after the death of Christ is also the day before the glorious life of Christ. But it is the suffering of yesterday that gives weight to the jubilant joy of tomorrow.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5