PASSION

Were they to TRULY make an authentic film about the Crucifixion, it would have to be rated XXX for violence! When "The Passion of the Christ" came out, a dear friend gave me caution with regard to seeing it, knowing my sensitive nature. It was a great film, but didn't come CLOSE to showing the violence.

Some picture Yeshua (Jesus), meek and mild or hanging on the Cross of Calvery (Golgatha) but my image of Jesus as I've come to know Him is laughing, holding kids on His lap, loving, compassionate, understanding. I can't WAIT for the day I crawl up in His lap, as it were, much like I did my earthly father and His telling me, "It's alright, now. I've got you. No more tears. I'm here with you...FOREVER"

I don't know what it's like not to have had a loving father. Why did I have one, when so many are so much less than that? Some people can't conceive of the love of a father...especially a lot of girls. For some, other men have come in and filled in the gap, and I believe God has special blessing for these. My own son is such, being a very positive role model for a little girl who is in every sense my grand daughter, even though we do not share DNA. My OWN dad adopted my sister, who I share only my mother's DNA with. The story of their love is legendary. He was in every sense her "daddy."

These two great men's love comes from one Source---God through Jesus.

To think that someone so sinless, so misunderstood. Hey, I can't explain the Trinity. But to think that the One Who created this earth, "slain from its foundation," Who was willing to cast aside the "perks" of His diety and live as a mere mortal. With people denying His rightful Sovereignty, calling Him just "a good man" or "a prophet" and then denying His prophetic Word, to put up with all that disrespect, to have His own created beings and subject Himself to the Cross for the likes of a maggot like me is unbelievable...too good to be true. But it IS.

Jesus' back was like hamburger and He suffered so much loss of blood by the time He got to Golgotha, He should have already been dead, but remember, he wasn't a punk. He was a CARPENTER, with arms and strength from learning Joseph's trade. I used to think, "Big deal, He died and rose from the grave. He was God!" See, I misunderstood the limitations he put on Himself, while others have said, "No, he was the SON of God!" He is BOTH! No, I can't explain it, but it was realizing the limitations He put on Himself and having it communicated to me that He would have endured that brutality and died if I was the only person on earth who needed salvation. He loved me that much. Trust me, I can be an unlovely bloke at times...MOST of the time. Yes, He would have done it for me alone, but at the same time...

He died once and for ALL. That includes YOU, my friend and if you don't know Him, you'll never regret having made His acquaintance.

I'm going to do something you may find weird, but you know, we live in weird times. I'm going to invite you to pray a prayer and take Jesus as YOUR Savior and Lord. You can pray this prayer with me. I'll be praying for YOU. You don't have to repeat it if you don't want, but you can if you want to. Fair enough?

Father God, I lift up my friend to You and ask that You would make Yourself real to them at this moment. I know You have prepared someone's heart to pray with me. It doesn't bother me that I may never hear about it until I'm with You in Heaven. I know You have directed me to do this and despite what people may think of me I'm doing it right now.

(If you want, repeat this prayer) Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner and have been doing things that displease You and haven't done things I should have. I'm tired of doing things MY way and want to do them Yours. Forgive me of my sins now and help me to do things Your way from here on out. Thank You, Jesus that You've heard my prayer. Help me to know You better as I read Your Holy Word and find other believers to hang out with, in Jesus' Name. Amen

Happy Easter, my friend. If there's anything I can do to help you get to Heaven, don't hesitate to ask