“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” Apostle’s Creed
We are in the final day of Lent and the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed reminds me of the joy of the empty tomb. Lazarus was in a tomb. Jesus was in a tomb. The tombs in the attached photo that was taken somewhere in between Roche Jabrouin and Les Cayes are filled with generations of Haitian families. You and I will in time probably end up in a tomb, a drawer or scattered somewhere on this planet that was a special place for us. The final destination of our remains will probably not be in a tomb like the one that held the body of Lazarus, Jesus Christ or the families in Haiti…but when we draw our last breath our time of service will have come to an end.
Good news for today and every day; “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” What a joyful realization those seven words hold for all believers. I heard a song recently titled ‘Shout to the Lord’ and that really sums up the thankful joy that should be filling our hearts as we consider the blessed reunion we have awaiting us.
“My Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like You. All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength. Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship You. Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing. Power and majesty praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name. I sing for joy at the work of Your hands. Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand nothing compares to the promise I have in You.”
His resurrection has secured a place for all believers in Heaven. This road in front of these tombs in Haiti has a fork, a choice, either to go left or right. While there, I was not sure which way to turn and it made me stop and think about the tombs that were straight in front of my truck without a spare tire. Choice for many in Haiti; continue to believe the lies of the vodou priest or accept Jesus Christ. We have the same choice but the difference is we most likely have heard the news of the risen Savior and many in Haiti have only heard that Jesus died…period. Thank you for preparing His children in Haiti to take the truth to the ears that have not heard and remain lost and shut out of the eternal home in Heaven.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay