So, just like the Christmas season, we have come through the Easter
season. There are similarities, and differences. In today’s terms, the internet
is pasted with photos of family dinner tables, loaded to the hilt with plenty.
Yes, the finest china for the special family guests, silver and napkins all
carefully placed just so. After all, we must have everything perfect. At
Christmas, we celebrate the birth event of Jesus. At Easter, we celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus, after mourning His crucifixion. Now, although we do
these things, we all know the inaccuracies of the timing, dates, and yes the
true meaning and events. Yet I won’t get into those arguments here. The
important thing is that we acknowledge Jesus and His sacrifice, and His
returning, or at least His promise of the same.
I want to focus on our family at this time. As I watched the recent
mini-series, called Jesus, His Life, I was struck by the idea that even members
of His own family thought he was crazy for claiming to be the Son of God. I can
appreciate the time thought, as way back in His time, it would seem pretty
incredible and frankly, unbelievable. Yet, Mary His mother never doubted, for
she knew the truth. As many friends, family and even strangers believed him to
be false, there were others who believed by faith, who He was.
While seeing family photos of dinner gatherings, I could not help but
wonder how many at our tables just don’t believe, or even care. Christmas and
Easter have become a convenient few days off from our jobs, that’s it. All of
us have friends and loved ones who put up with someone like me saying a
blessing over the meal in Jesus’ name. For some, it’s an uncomfortable thirty
seconds. Yet, we still should have hope that in those few moments, God will
come alive in someone’s spirit, and get them to silently ask Him into their
life. The dinner time itself should be a reminder of how precious a gift our
family is that God has given to us. Whether a small gathering or a house full
of chatter, we should be thankful that Jesus loved us so much, that He died so
we could live. When the dining rooms fall silent, and the walls hold the ghosts
of laughter, we should always give thanks to the one who died, so we would at
least have a good reason to gather in love to share a meal.
Love one another as He loves us, and never allow anything to cause
conflict within those walls. Remember that He is risen, and is coming back. He
left us a trail of His love and an empty cross to remember Him by. If any of
your family dinners are your last supper, then let your trail of love be the
last thing to remain in the empty chair you leave behind.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com
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