True Colors

 

…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. ~I Samuel 16:7

I thought surely Eric Carle had lost his mind. Here was a book titled Hello, Red Fox with a green fox on the cover, all written and illustrated by Eric Carle. When I turned to the first page I saw a giant red heart with a tiny black dot. There was a caption at the bottom labeled Important. I thought I should read it. The instructions said, "Stare at the black dot and count to 10 then look at the black dot on the next page." Okay, so I tried it. A faint green image of the heart appeared on the opposite white page. Then the story of a little green frog’s birthday party began. Each animal invited was not the color it appeared if you took the time to stare 10 seconds at the black dot on the animal then, look at the opposite white page. I thought, "This is really cool, Eric. Maybe you are on to something!"


I thought, "Life is a lot like Eric Carle’story." I seem to be doing a lot of thinking. We think we see people. They make a first impression. How often do we look at people and make a judgment based on what they appear to be; happy, kind, sad, mean, tough, etc. without taking the time to look a little deeper. We don’t know the real person at first glance. Jesus took the time to see the real person. He had compassion for the people even when they were cruel and unloving. He healed the untouchable lepers. He brought the message of salvation to the Samaritan woman. He healed the crippled hand on the Sabbath, though it was "against the law". Jesus put others first. He cared about people.


Father, help me to look at the heart as you do and not the outward appearance. Help me demonstrate a caring, compassionate spirit. Lord, show me how to make a difference in the hearts and lives of others. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Has anyone ever misjudged you? Kids used to think I wasn't much of an athlete because I was a little on the heavy side. When they had a chance to see me in action they gained an entirely different perspective. 

Perhaps one of your friends or acquaintances is being misjudged.  How can you help others see a different side, the real side of the person they really are? 

Matters of the Heart

 

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. ~Luke 9:49,50 

There is always some sort of controversy going on in the church. When I was growing up it was the length of a guy's hair. Later it was whether women could wear pants. Music is still controversial and now I'm seeing things pop up about wearing our best. I'd like for you to think back a little to the time of our grandparents. Let's say the 1920's.

Eggs and Easter

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,  ~Matthew 28:5-7

Let's see, it's Easter 1960. Grandma and Mama have sewn our Easter outfits. Mama and I have purchased our hats and gloves. Everything is ironed and laid out for Sunday morning. Only the Easter baskets are left to prepare. 

Mama brought out the vinegar and dye tablets, a coffee cup (not a mug) for each tablet, a spoon and an old towel. Leftover baskets with fresh plastic or paper grass were placed on the table beside the towel. The Easter bunny didn't leave our baskets. We helped dye the eggs in the stinky colored vinegar. We were excited to balance the hardboiled eggs on our spoons and dip them in the cups. Sometimes there was a wax pencil to draw designs before we dyed the eggs. The dyed eggs were gently lifted from the cups and placed on the towel to dry. Then we decorated our own baskets with eggs and candy wrapped in colored foils. But never were we told anything about how eggs were related to Easter. 

When my own children were small, we often visited my grandma, who was nearing 90 at the time. The discussion came up about dying eggs with my babies. Somehow we worked around to the subject of how eggs have anything to do with Easter. I had no idea and she was shocked. 

"Why, the shell represents the tomb!" surprised no one had taught me that. "There's unseen life inside an egg. When it's ready the chick will burst forth like the resurrection." 

Well, that made perfect sense. Why hadn't I even thought of that? Of course, our hard boiled eggs had no life left in them but a fresh egg certainly could, especially the farm eggs Grandma was used to gathering. 

There are several ideas as to the origins of colored eggs and spring celebrations. We too can derive some meaning for today's children. So what can we say about Easter eggs? 

• Fresh eggs encapsulate life with the appearance of death just as the tomb in death held the answer to eternal life in Jesus.
• Eggs need 3 weeks to hatch. Jesus took 3 days to resurrect.
• The hatchling uses his beak to crack the shell and come out. Jesus used his voice to call Lazarus from the tomb.  A great earthquake and angels announced Jesus's resurrection.  One day His voice will call us from the grave as well.  
• Easter eggs are dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Jesus died for everyone of every color. 
• We hunt for eggs hidden all around. Jesus goes wherever people are found to bring salvation to any who will believe on Him.
• We gather the eggs in a basket. Jesus will gather us and take us one day to our heavenly home. Until then we gather in our churches to worship the One who has overcome death and the grave.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins. Thank you for sending reminders all around us that you are the giver of life eternal through Jesus.  Help us remember to tell our children that you are the Creator God and that everything and everyone has a purpose in worshipping you. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.

Hey Kids: 

Easter egg hunts are usually for the little kids but you can play a part as well. 

• Help little ones learn to dye eggs. Search out natural dyes, use brown eggs instead of white. 
• As you dye the eggs, relate the Easter story to younger children who may not yet know or understand.
• Relate to the little ones how the shell is like a tomb and a baby chick grows inside of the shell when left for the hen to keep warm.
• Let the little ones know Jesus loves all the children of the world.  Sing "Jesus love the Little Children". 
• When we hunt for eggs we are like Jesus who looks for people who love Him and want to belong to Him. 
• We put the eggs in our baskets. When we gather in our churches to worship we are gathered together like eggs in a basket, every color, and every nation. 

Preparing for Easter

 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. ~ Zechariah 9:9 KJV

I wonder why Jesus chose the colt of a donkey to ride into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday? 

Was it because that was the common form of transportation? 

If we examine the prophet Zechariah's words (above) we see the people were to be looking for their king to come on a donkey's colt. But wait, kings rode horses!

A donkey is short but a colt is much shorter. Jesus was riding right down there where the people were. The clothes put on the colt's back covered a prophecy that Jesus had tried to tell his disciples. Under the clothes was a cross. 

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. ~ Mark 11:7-10 KJV

Almost all donkeys have a cross on their backs. It runs down their backs and across their shoulders. 

A donkey is an animal known for carrying burdens. The donkey carried Jesus who was carrying the greatest burden of all - our sins, the sins of the whole world. 

Jesus rode this donkey into Jerusalem the same day the sheep would have been brought in, the tenth day of Nisan. The sheep were to be put up and examined until Passover when they were to be killed as the Passover sacrifice.

During this week, Jesus would be examined. He would be arrested and stand before His accusers. Like a sheep that is led before the shearers is silent, so Jesus did not answer the accusations. He was slain as our sacrifice, the Lamb of God.

Father, help us slow down and realize today is the day our Savior has come. Today is the day of salvation. If only we will call upon Him, He will take our burdens and save our souls. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

Hey Kids:

Have you ever seen a donkey? Many of the farms in my area are keeping donkeys in their pastures to ward off the coyotes. The next time you see one, stop and look for the cross on his back. NOT TOO CLOSE! Stay behind the fence. The purpose of the donkey is to kick away any danger. He would think that includes you too!

You might also enjoy The Easter Donkey, a picture book by Donna Thornton. 

She tells the story of a real donkey used by a church in our area to help reenact Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is the day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. 

Some churches put on Easter Passion plays and invite the public. Like Christmas Pageants depicting the birth of Christ, so Easter Passion plays depict the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 

How are you preparing for Easter?