Music Monday: “Remember Me” by Mark Schultz
By Debbie Waltz
Last weekend, I had the privilege of getting together with my “Even If” group (disabled and chronically ill friends) virtually for a retreat; it was a much-needed break from my busyness. As many of you know, I have continued writing on my blog even though my progress on my book has stalled. I won’t go into any details now, but I know God has His Hand on the situation, and things will work out in His timing. Still, it always amazes me how God works. At this retreat, I realized once again that my worth isn’t dependent on how productive I am or how much I accomplish. It’s enough that The King of the Universe created me.
Being a Christian for almost 40 years, it’s easy to celebrate Easter and to let it pass. But I can’t. It needs to be remembered. Without it, there’s no need for faith. The fact that the resurrection actually happened is the foundation of Christianity. Just as the Lord remembered me as he took his final breath, his sacrifice needs to be remembered as well. As Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Paul continues on in the chapter explaining why this is necessary. In verses 9 and 10, he says this: “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Jesus died, and the Pharisees thought they’d won. Satan thought he had the last word. But there’s a happily-ever-after ending here. More importantly, there’s hope – hope for the disciples and us. On the third day, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb to prepare the body of Jesus, only to find it gone. In its place, sat 2 angels which would have been at the body’s head and foot. Overcome with loss, she wept uncontrollably as another angel asked the reason for her tears. “They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have put him.” (John 20:13). Notice here that Mary Magdalene is so overcome with grief, that she doesn’t really understand the miracle of what’s occurring. She’s already seen 2 angels in the tomb, but it doesn’t really seem to register. Not until God finally reveals himself does the significance of it all really hit Mary. He’s alive. He’d done what he promised.
What is the significance of this passage? In short, God’s wrath had to be satisfied for us to become his sons and daughters and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Jesus paid the debts for our sins (past, present and future). John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall never perish but have eternal life.” All that is required of us is that we believe and accept God as our Savior. God does the rest.
This doesn’t mean the rest of our life is smooth sailing. We still live in a fallen world and though we are not bound by our sinful nature anymore, we will be tempted and sometimes make mistakes. But God in his infinite wisdom will make beautiful masterpieces from our messes. He also promises that the pain of this world is only temporary, In Romans 8:18, Paul writes: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”
I could go on and on. At the beginning of this post, I just wanted to remind readers that God always thinks of us. So take time to remember Him in your busy day today.
listen to Mark Schultz here: