Matthew 16:21-23, Matthew 17:22-23, & Matthew 20:17-19
Jesus predicts his death, and resurrection at least three times in the gospel of Matthew.
Take a Moment to Ponder
Within the animal kingdom there are two most known enemies, they are the snake, and the mongoose. In India the king cobra, and the mongoose can be seen in battle very often. They are examples of what we term, natural enemies.
There are times when the king cobra with its venom will kill the mongoose, and the mongoose with its cunning ways, and sharp teeth at times would defeat the king cobra, but no one never knows who will be defeated until the battle ends with one dead. In Jamaica the mongoose most often won, because our snakes were not venomous so the mongoose had an advantage, and I can just hear the many hallelujahs from those of us in Jamaica who do not like snakes.
Nevertheless, it is fascinating to see both animals face their enemy with confidence in their abilities.
In our journey of life many of us fear death, the most often listed enemy of life. However, through the example of Jesus Christ, we are given a hope into something more inspiring. The understanding as I learned in physics, is that energy cannot be destroyed as it is simply transferred from one state to another, so we learn from Jesus himself that the energy of life can be found even after death. On numerous occasions Jesus explained that though he would die yet he will live, and he showed us his confidence much more than that of the mongoose or the cobra. Today in Jamaica, we have many grieving parents whose child died, and the parents are left with many questions, and much doubt. There are also many children who have lost parents, and they too have the same doubt, and fears. We can take heart in this simple concept of our souls being an energy that is transformed into another state, as Jesus demonstrated. Therefore, that is why we as Christians celebrate the Easter with confidence no matter when death comes.
He is risen! Jesus Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Practical Action
Let us remember and pray for all those parent or parents who have died leaving their children, and those children who have died leaving their parent/parents.
A Moment in Prayer
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus
Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of
everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the
day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death
of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.
Contributed by Rev. Khan Honeyghan
