Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 10:39-40, “They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him on the third day and made Him to appear.”
Things are not always what they seem. Philosophers have theorized about this and literature has waxed eloquent on the subject. Hollywood is built around this idea, and advertising tries to make us forget its truth. Sometimes, we want it to be true, and other times we are fighting against it. Sometimes, our greatest concern is making sure others realize that what we said or did is not misconstrued or taken the wrong way. Other times, we put out a red herring in the hopes of getting away with something. Essentially nothing is bound to be and seem exactly and only one way to any and everyone. Art has its place in large part because its works can produce an endless array of reactions and appreciation, bound only by the number of those experiencing it. So, when the “they” of the first century put Jesus to death by hanging Him on a tree, “it” must have appeared for them as if a troublemaker and a troubled maker of mania had been duly punished for crossing the line with the Roman authorities. That’s how it would seem. For those devoted to Jesus, it seemed as if the Chosen One from God had either met His match or misled His followers. That is how it would seem to them. But up above, there was another view. The appearance of a Man hanging on a tree was part of the picture on the third day. One snapshot in time, such as the famous photo of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, could not capture all that would appear to be going on. What seemed to be happening on that Friday afternoon was made apparent on that Sunday morning.
Leading up to next week’s elections, it appears bleak to some. Hearing sharp words from a loved one seems foreboding. But such is not the full picture, and things are not what they seem. We are not left as victims of chance, but worship the God who has power to raise the dead, manage a nation, and fix a broken relationship. But know also, that He has the power to expose the façade we put on display, complete with smoke and mirrors. God is no fool, and He doesn’t suffer them. He is for truth and righteousness, and His appearance one day will ultimately confirm that, no matter how things seem today.
As we seek Him today, let appearance and reality find its union through the faith you have in our glorious King.
Have a real Thursday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
