Good morning, friends.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:36-37, “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.”
I looked up last night and saw a five-foot-tall penguin walking towards me. I also was confronted by a Ninja, and watched a giant rabbit entertain some kids. I spoke with talking foods, superheroes, people I had read about in books, stars I have seen on television, and even a dead painter. But since it was Halloween, none of these encounters was unusual. Each of these individuals rose up that morning, excited to dress up and claim to be someone, or something, that they were not. But today, except for the most infatuated of little kiddos, the pretending is over and it’s back to real life. No villains to slay, no dwarves to care for, no undead roaming about. Similar to Theudas and Judas, they rose up and declared themselves as someone. But when that gig was over, all was as it was before. But for Jesus, the story played out a little differently. Rather than rising up and claiming to be somebody, Jesus claimed to be somebody, and rose up. It’s a not so subtle difference that explains the chasm between Halloween and Easter. The day and days after Halloween merely serve to put the candy and costumes further in the rearview mirror. It’s on to the next big thing, with thoughts of perhaps having to outdo next year what you did this year.
But every day since that blessed first Easter, the truth and power of the rising up of our Savior has continued its march to cover the globe with love and forgiveness. The only scattering and dispersing that goes on now is to bring the message by the faithful followers of the One who rose up. He did not dress Himself up as a King, but was undressed and beaten, mocked with a thorny crown and robe and tortured until He died, hanging on a tree in the shape of a cross, God’s Son who took on all our sin. But when He rose up, He was still God’s Son. Sure, gone were the thorns and purple garment. But also gone was the guilt of all who would put their trust in the only One who ever rose up and claimed to be somebody. Halloween can be good for several things, but when it reminds us from what we have been saved, and who did the saving, then it deserves all the celebrating you can put on.
As we seek Him today, claim to be a redeemed child of God who is walking in His grace and dressed up in His love.
Have a terrific weekend.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
