No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

Easter is upon us. Undoubtedly, if you have small kids or grandkids, you’re soon to be overrun with small plastic eggs, spaghetti-like green plastic grass that seems to stick to carpet like so much Velcro, and bunnies and duckies of all shapes and material. Easter really is a great time of the year – as the world wakes up again. The grass comes out, the trees are in bloom, and the newness of life breaks forth through the dawn of winter.

It’s also a new time for the spirit as well. For we who acknowledge the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, all things are made new in light of the Cross. We are reminded once again that God bothered with us – so much so, that He gave his one and only son that we might live. As we prepare our thoughts for the Easter season, I thought I’d share with you a beautiful chapter out of Max Lucado’s book, “No Wonder They Call Him the Savior.” This chapter is unique, in that it reveals its story one word at a time. Read it slowly and sink in each thought.

Road. Dark. Stars. Shadows. Four. Sandals. Robes. Quiet. Suspense. Grove Trees. Alone. Man. Prostrate. Blood. “NO!” “Yes.” Angels. Comfort.

Footsteps. Torches. Voices. Romans. Surprise. Swords. Kiss. Confusion. Betrayal. Fearful. Run! Bound. Wrists. Marching.

Courtyard. Priests. Lamps. Sanhedrin. Caiphas. Sneer. Silk. Arrogance. Beard. Plotting. Barefoot. Rope. Calm. Shove. Kick. Annas. Indignant. Messiah? Trial. Nazarene. Confident. Question. Answer. Punch!

Peter. “Me?” Rooster. Thrice. Guilt.

Proceedings. Court. Rejection. Prosecute. Weary. Pale. Witnesses. Liars. Inconsistent. Silence. Stares. “Blasphemer!” Anger. Waiting. Bruised. Dirty. Fatigued. Guards. Spit. Blindfold. Mocking. Blows. Fire. Twilight.

Sunrise. Golden. Jerusalem. Temple. Passover. Lambs. Lamb. Worshippers. Priests. Messiah. Hearing. Fraud. Prisoner. Waiting. Standing. Shifting. Strategy. “Pilate!” Trap. Murmurs. Exit.

Stirring. Parade. Crowd. Swell. Romans. Pilate. Toga. Annoyed. Nervous. Officers. Tunics. Spears. Silence. “Charge?” “Blasphemy.” Indifference. Ignore. (Wife. Dream.) Worry. Interview. Lips. Pain. Determined. “King?” “Heaven.” “Truth.” “Truth?” Sarcasm. (Fear) “Innocent!” Roar. Voices. “Galilean!” “Galilee?” “Herod!”

9:00 A.M. Marchers. Palace. Herod. Fox. Schemer. Paunchy. Crown. Cape. Scepter. Hall. Elegance. Silence. Manipulate. Useless. Vexed. Revile. Taunt. “Kings?” Robe. Theatrical. Cynical. Hateful. “Pilate!”

Marching. Uproar. Prisoner. Hushed. Pilate. “Innocent!” Bedlam. “Barabbas!” Riot. Despair. Christ. Bare. Rings. Wall. Back. Whip. Slash Scourge. Tear. Bone. Moan. Flesh. Rhythm. Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Thorns. Stinging. Blind. Laughter. Jeering. Scepter. Slap. Governor. Distraught. (Almost) Eyes. Jesus. Decision. Power. Freedom? Threats. Looks. Yelling. Weak. Basin. Water. Swayed. Compromise. Blood. Guilt.

Soldiers. Thieves. Crosspiece. Shoulder. Heavy. Beam. Heavy. Sun. Stagger. Incline. Houses. Shops. Faces. Mourners. Murmurs. Pilgrims. Women. Tumble. Cobblestone. Exhaustion. Gasping. Simon. Pathetic. Golgotha.

Skull. Calvary. Crosses. Execution. Death. Noon. Tears. Observers. Wails. Wine. Nude. Bruised. Swollen. Crossbeam. Sign. Ground. Nails. Pound. Pound. Pound. Pierced. Contorted. Thirst. Terrible. Grace. Writhing. Raised. Mounted. Hung. Suspended. Spasms. Heaving. Sarcasm. Sponge. Tears. Taunts. Forgiveness. Dice. Gambling. Darkness.

Absurdity.

Death. Life.

Pain. Peace.

Condemn. Promise.

Nowhere. Somewhere.

Him. Us.

“Father!” Robbers. Paradise. Wailing. Weeping. Stunned. “Mother.” Compassion. Darkness. “My God!” Afraid. Scapegoat. Wilderness. Vinegar. “Father.” Silence. Sigh. Death. Relief.

Earthquake. Cemetery. Tombs. Bodies. Mystery. Curtain. Spear. Blood. Water. Spices. Linen. Tomb. Fear. Waiting. Despair. Stone. Mary. Running. Maybe? Peter. John. Belief. Enlightenment. Truth. Mankind. Alive. Alive. Alive!

Resounding Themes:
Christ the Lord is Risen Today!
Jesus Loves and Knows Us
Resurrection Living, Resurrection People
Saved to Be Sent

Ready, Set, READ

John 4:1-42

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- What were the circumstances that begin this story? Are you surprised to learn Jesus’ role? What is His immediate response? Why do you think he goes through Samaria? Why is that a “problem?” What is significant about where he decides to stop?

- Who comes and meets Jesus? What does she want? What does Jesus have to offer? Why is she confused? What does Jesus reveal about the woman? What excuses does she give Jesus to shake him off of her trail? How does Jesus redirect her? How does this meeting end?

- How do the disciples respond? How does Jesus react? What does Jesus reveal to the disciples about his encounter with the woman? How is it revolutionary?

- What effect does the woman have on those she comes in contact with after seeing Jesus? What do the people ask of Jesus? What does Jesus have to offer them? What does He have to offer you today? Is your life any different because of your contact with Jesus? If not, what needs to change?

Ready, Set, PRAY

Creator of life and all things…it is impossible to grasp why you would love me so much that you would bother with giving your only Son as a ransom for my sin. For the million times I’ve failed You and for the million henceforth I will fail You – I can’t help but respond in humility and gratitude for the Cross.

Alas, and did my Savior bleed, and did my Soverign die?

Would He devot that sacred head for such a worm as I?

But drops of grief can ne’r repay the debt of love I owe.

Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee, tis all that I can do.

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

and the burden of my heart rolled away

It was there by faith I received my sight,

and now I am happy all the day.

Remind me once again about the power of the Cross and Christ’s Resurrection. May I, too, be raised anew to life new life in Christ. God. Thank you for bothering with me! In Jesus. AMEN

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!