May the mumbling commence!
Sometimes, we need a little something to help us remember – like a string around our finger. And, sometimes, that string around our finger is a conversation starter for those new to faith in God. That’s when a string around our finger becomes more than just a string and when a pile of smooth river stones becomes more than an ordinary pile of smooth river stones. Read from Joshua chapter four:
The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month – the month that marked their exodus from Egypt. They camped at Gilgal, east of Jericho. It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean?' Then you can tell them, 'This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the Lord, and that you might fear the Lord your God forever." (Verses 19-24)
What do these stones mean? When the children ask that question, it is a teaching moment, a moment for reflection and remembrance. These smooth river stones were taken from the middle of the Jordan River… when it was at flood stage. God created for us a dry path to cross safely into the Promised Land. It was just like when God parted the Red Sea.
Our God is powerful. You can trust Him with everything.
It is no different with Christians. Our God is powerful. We can trust Him with everything. Our powerful reminder of this living God is the empty tomb. Read from Luke chapter twenty-four:
But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. So they went in, but they couldn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He has risen from the dead! Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?"
Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples – and everyone else – what had happened. The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it. However, Peter ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. (Verses 1-12)
The reaction of the disciples was confusion, sadness and wonderment. Where did the body of the Lord go? Just as they found it hard to listen and understand the prediction that Jesus had made to them numerous times of his suffering, death and resurrection, they did not understand that the body was missing from the tomb because Jesus has risen to life again.
The empty tomb! Death is defeated. Our God is powerful. We can trust Him with everything.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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