For faithful followers of Christ, Holy Week is a rollercoaster of emotions. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to overwhelming acclaim, as crowds shouted praises and glorified Him as He fulfilled the prophecy by riding into the city on a lowly donkey. Within just a few days, Jesus would be rejected and scorned, dragged into a mock trial, beaten, tortured, and brutally murdered in public. He was mocked, despised, and abandoned by many in His inner circle. But that’s just the beginning of the real story. . . .
We must never forget that Jesus knew every detail about what would happen to Him, and yet He willingly chose to come to us. He took on our weaknesses and experienced sorrow, temptation, and death. He didn’t to have to do any of those things, but because He did, we had the greatest gift imaginable: the promise of eternal life with God.
Whatever you are going through this week, God is well aware of it and He promises to never abandon His children. The Bible is full of men and women who have broken homes, devastating diagnoses, financial ruin, war, famine – you name it! By revisiting their lives, we can see how God was weaving long-term good in some of the darkest valleys. That is also the truth at the heart of Jesus’ earthly story.
SCARY NEWS, FINANCIAL FEAR, WORLD CHAOS? EASTER OFFERS A LESSON FOR ALL OF US
I have written about many of these encouraging Bible heroes over the years, as well as my new book:Nothing is impossible with God.’ specifically highlights those who faced enormous obstacles. Beginning with Gideon, we meet a scared man who addresses God as a “mighty warrior.” The English translation of Gideon’s response is literally “excuse me.”
We must never forget that Jesus knew every detail about what would happen to Him, and yet He willingly chose to come to us.
I think many of us would react the same way if God appeared and told us that we would be going into battle against a powerful oppressor without the weapons or advantages that our human minds would logically deem necessary! But isn’t that what He does with us again and again in our spiritual journey? He asks us to trust that He has a plan that we see no way out of?
Shannon Bream’s new book is “Nothing is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.” (FOX NEWS)
In my new book, ‘Nothing is impossible with God,” I dive deep into people from the pages of the Bible who encountered stumbling blocks that would have stopped most of us in our tracks.
Sometimes it was outsiders who openly plotted against them. If you have experienced that, you will love the story of Nehemiah. Instead of folding, he trusted God to deal with the crafty, sarcastic enemies who tried to undermine him. He prayed, prepared, and endured. That’s possible too!
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: EVEN JUDAS? THIS PALM SUNDAY COMMEMORATES SIN, DESPAIR AND DIVINE MERCY
Sometimes it’s our own self-doubt that throws us off track. Moses was overwhelmed by the assignment given to him, and even argued with the God of the Universe about the fact that he was not the man for the job. I may be quick to judge looking back thousands of years, but I certainly did the same!
What about Jonah, who ran in the opposite direction of what God asked him to do? As we walk with them on their journeys, we see Gideon, Moses, and Jonah all grow in their faith and obedience. What was impossible by human standards was accomplished by God’s power and guidance.
In the pages of the Bible we also meet men and women who were faithful from the beginning. Noah was asked to build a structure that made no sense, a gigantic boat with no system to steer it, to survive a coming flood – and yet rain had never fallen on the face of the earth. He just went to work.
FOX NATION’S ‘JESUS CROWN OF THORNS’ BUILDS TO AN EXPLOSIVE, BETRAYAL-FUNDED FINALE
Joshua opposed the groupthink that told the Israelites there was no way they could face an enemy the Lord had guaranteed they would overcome. We see Daniel’s courage and godly devotion for decades, never wavering in a culture that made his faith a criminal offense – punishable by death!
I think it’s fair to say that Peter represents a combination of these different challenges. He was fiery, passionate, and willing to defend Christ with everything he had. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle, impulsive and stubborn, and sometimes reprimanded by the man he most admired. So when Jesus told Peter he would betray him, his beloved friend and disciple fired back with typical enthusiasm:
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS ADVICE
“But Peter said, ‘Even if I die with you, I will never deny you.’” (Matthew 26:35)
Just hours later, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. Peter denied ever knowing his friend and esteemed rabbi, and even shouted and cursed in anger. When the realization of his devastating failure fell on his heart, we are told that he “went out and wept bitterly.” Again, this is far from the end of the story.
Days later, Jesus rose from the grave and conquered sin and death for good. Instead of approaching His broken friend with judgment and contempt, He approached Peter with grace and care. Peter had returned to the place where Christ found him fishing for a living. I’m sure he felt unworthy of the calling to be something more. But Jesus did not want to leave him there. He knew Peter’s tender, broken heart. He lovingly restored Peter and told him that he should finally leave fishing for good and concentrate on what he was created and gifted to do: fishing for men.
This – and every Easter – there is so much evidence of God overcoming the impossible in our lives. He can work through our fears and failures, our rebellion and our rabbit trails.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
He has overcome what we cannot – sin and death – and every Easter is a celebration of that glorious gift. We cannot earn it; we must humble ourselves to first acknowledge our need – and then accept it.
That can be difficult for us to understand and embrace as human beings who are just beginning to fathom that level of mercy and generosity.
I pray that this Easter you will accept the gift.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM SHANNON BREAM
