Empty

Inspired by a poem read at Crossroads Church

In the final days and hours of Christ’s life
He was exalted by thousands filling the streets
yet just days later...
He was betrayed by those same people
They hurled insults at Him
Despised Him
Rejected Him
His best friends fell sleep on Him
His disciple betrayed him
He was mocked
Belittled
Bruised
And beaten
He was condemned to the death of a thief
Stripped of his clothing
Nailed to a cross
Stabbed in the side and left to die
They laid Him in a borrowed tomb
A tomb previously empty
Now filled with the body of the Messiah our Savior
The opening filled with a huge stone
Emptiness filled the world
It seemed as if life had no meaning
It seemed as if confusion clouded the mind
It seemed as if emptiness had final victory
But that tomb could not hold Him
The fullness of Jesus overcame death
Hurt
Emptiness
Two men appeared to them clothed in light
“Why are you looking for the dead among the living?”
“He is not here.”
"He is risen!"

Jesus defeated death so you could live
He defeated hate so you could be loved
He defeated hurt so you could be healed
He defeated emptiness so you could start again
Sometimes empty is only the beginning
To something beyond beautiful

Let us pray -

Heavenly Father, Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory
Now and forever more.

Amen Jesus Christ our Savior!
Amen. Amen!

Scripture -

1 Pet. 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

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