"For all that You give, great is the Love that death can't hold."  -unhindered

This Holy week has been one like I have never experienced before and one that I will never forget.  Easter is a huge celebration in Swaziland- we got out of school early on Thursday and were off Friday through Monday.  Most people go to church on Thursday night and then spend the entire weekend sleeping, eating, and worshipping at their respective churches.

I attended church on Thursday night where we had a somber Communion service, and I attended on Friday morning to remember when Jesus went to the cross.  One of the things that really convicted me was a comment that my pastor made, saying that, "Many Swazis are disappointed in the Jesus that they have been presented."

How many times have I been disappointed in the Jesus that I expected or thought I knew?  

"Jesus is the answer, not because of what He will do for you, but Jesus is the answer because of what He has done for you."

Jesus is not to be fit into a box at our control, and neither is Jesus here to make our lives perfect.  He went to Hell and suffered death for our sake, and there is nothing that touches us where God is not completely involved and completely in control.  Pastor Ken talked about at church that too many of us want to be in Zion, the heavenly Jersualem, and would like to forget about Calvary.  Jesus is also Lord of the rugged cross.

Pastor Ken made the observation, "We find the power to endure any suffering from the example that was set for us by Jesus at the cross."  Jesus died for the sick, the weak, for those with AIDS, for cancer victims, for the abused, the neglected, for the hopeless in order that we may have hope and new life in Him.  The cross is where we should be running…He makes all things NEW.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 52:5-6

I hope that despite your circumstances, you have found this Easter season to be one of hope and joy because of our risen King.  We talked about how our Easter experience is to proclaim, such as Mary did when she encountered Jesus, "I have seen the Lord!"

There will be grief, there will be sorrow and struggles, but Jesus has overcome the world and this is why we have HOPE. Not for this life, because this is not all there is, but for an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7