That’s my hand in the lower left corner, just as I pulled it back to take Buddy’s photo. My furry pal got his summer trim and looked so adorable, yet he was refusing to look at the camera. I held his face toward me then unsuccessfully removed my hand before taking the photo.
My forehead thumping moment occurred when I recently watched Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion Of The Christ.” I like to remind myself during Easter season of the suffering Jesus willingly endured to pay the price for my sin, so that I don’t take His sacrifice for granted, or too lightly.
It suddenly occurred to me that the first persons who witnessed our Lord’s resurrection were the two unbelievers who were guarding His tomb. The Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, commanded the soldiers to prevent Jesus’ body from being stolen so that His disciples couldn’t claim He rose from the dead.
Of course, the Romans didn’t expect Jesus to walk out, after being tortured to death.
“Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone and sat upon it. His appearance was as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.”—Matthew 28:2-4
I suppose it never occurred to me before, as the other gospels focus on the women going to the tomb or the two disciples, Peter and John; only Matthew talks about the soldiers.
Which got me thinking about how the obvious people who should believe in Jesus, are often the ones who don’t. Biologists, physicists and astronomers, who know how intricately detailed and amazing our bodies, nature, and the universe are, usually are the atheists who vociferously try to destroy belief in Christianity.
Yet, scientists continually discover that atomic structures are even more complex and minute than previously believed. And now a new major field of genetics, called epigenetics, is exciting biologists (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics).
Just reading about the many complex and important functions of the internal organ, the liver, boggles the mind. Yet, we’re supposed to believe that this intricate organ, that affects nearly every body organ system, evolved through a series of chance accidents? Or if directed, how? Or by whom?
It seems to me, that one prominent biologist rejects God because he doesn’t want his sexual activity restricted. But how stupid! To trade eternity for several decades of physical passion, like trading an ocean for one drop of water.
(The purpose of my blog is not to impart scientific information, but to prompt thinking.)
Yet, consider how the Apostle Paul describe those whom the Lord calls to faith in 1 Corinthians 1:26-27:
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
The Scriptures don’t tell us, but I’m hoping that those two soldiers who saw the resurrected Jesus walk out of the tomb eventually came to faith.
I’ve heard of scientists who’ve come to Christ when they honestly began to consider the facts and escape their training in a worldly mindset.
Just as I unsuccessfully tried to remove my hand from the photo, God’s hand is there in creation for all to see (Romans 1:18-19).
God bless you.
Much love from Dawn and Buddy
PS. Did you wonder how I’d manage to tie the Buddy photo back into the blog topic? Because I did!
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If you’ve slapped yourself in your own forehead, finally realizing that there must be a Designer of our intricately balanced and complex world, please know this Designer created you to be in a relationship with Him. He desires to have you enjoy His love for eternity. But you need to invite Him into your life. He won’t force Himself on you.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”—Jesus, Revelation 3:20
That door is your heart. The Spirit of the Living God will enter into your life and change your heart and give life to your spirit—if you invite Him in.
Will you do so now?
Please repeat the following prayer, out loud if possible:
Dear Heavenly Father, I realize there has to be a great architect who designed this fantastic world and universe. It’s amazing and I’m also “fearfully and wonderfully made.”* I invite Jesus into my life and heart. Please forgive my sins. I want to live for You. Please teach me how to love You and others, and how much You love me. Change my life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Be my Lord and Savior, the ruler and guide of my life. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. Please start reading the Bible daily as it’s your soul food; just as your body needs daily nourishment to be healthy, so does your soul. I suggest starting with the Book of Matthew as it’s easy to understand.
Also, join a Bible believing church or Bible study, and get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message). There are other godly ministries, but it’s easy to be misled till you know the Bible fairly well. Please ask Jesus to help you recognize good teaching, as He’s your Good Shepherd Who leads you into all truth (Psalm 23).
Good bless you. May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day.
*Psalm 139:14
Meditations About God and Buddy 