Rejoice in Christ

Mark 2:18-20 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 

And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Yesterday, Pastor JJ reminded us of the sacrifice that God made on our behalf by Jesus on the cross on “Good Friday”. How Christ died for our sins, as a substitution for us, so that we may live. But also, that God the Father, sent God the Son from heaven to earth to take on humanness, that we might learn as disciples to change and live more Christ-like. Routines are comfortable for us. Schedules give the sense of control and security. Change is not easy because our mindset is earthbound. Jesus calls us to transform our minds, along with our hearts; not allowing our routine to become our relationship with Him. After all, there is nothing routine about God. There was Friday (on the Cross), there was Saturday (in the Grave), and then there was Sunday (Resurrection). Each day had its proper response. The Lord never intended for us to act the “same way” in every time and circumstance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1&4 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance.

This last Saturday, our oldest son married his fiancée. The wedding party entered the family and guest-filled church sanctuary. The groom and best-man waited as the bride was escorted by her father down the aisle in grandeur. Candles were lighted, a sand ceremony symbolized the blending of two lives into one, prayers were made and vows were exchanged, as the witnessing family and friends watched in silence. But when Pastor JJ pronounced them “man and wife”, told him to kiss the bride and introduced them as “Mister and Misses Todd”, the crowd erupted with shouts of joy and excitement. “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?” No, it was no longer a time to be quite; it now was a time to celebrate! It is the appropriate time to rejoice and have a party; not a time for quite fasting and prayer. Likewise, “Good Friday” brought sorrow, that Saturday was silent, but “Sunday was a-coming” and its a time to rejoice! Sin and death were conquered! The acceptable sin debt was paid by Jesus. Redemption and Salvation was here. It is a time to celebrate, rejoicing and giving praise to the Lord. The bridegroom is with us and we are His Bride!

 Romans 4:23-5:2  When God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in Him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Christianity is not about “self-denial” all the time. To everything, there is a season and a time, meaning that there is a full gamut of emotions that the Christian experiences in a relationship with the “living” God and Lord Jesus Christ. Praise and rejoicing in joyful adoration and worship of the Lord is a victory celebration. The Bridegroom (Christ) is here! It’s time to rejoice! Amen? Amen!

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

                     

In Christ, Brian