I am in awe of the ways that God reveals His presence and love to us all when we look with the eyes of our hearts, our spiritual eyes. He meets us in the simple, ordinary parts of life, turning them into sacred encounters. For me, Easter is the most beautiful time of year because we celebrate the greatest event in all of history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the central tenet of our faith. We celebrate the victory of the cross and its assurance of eternal life. The different celebrations from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday are so rich and powerful for me personally.
I wrote about the sacredness of participating in the foot-washing event like Jesus did to His disciples on the night before He died. This year I gained an inner correlation with the outward sign of washing the feet. As God does, He made it clear to me through hearing a reflection about it in the morning followed by confirmation that evening. The question I reflected on throughout the day was, “What dirt and grime in my soul does God need to wash clean?” My prayer as my feet were being washed this year was exactly that—“Lord, wash my soul clean. Please make me a new creation, removing the dirt, doubts, and fears. Let me walk confidently with you.” What a beautiful encounter to experience Jesus washing, drying, and kissing both of my feet, then pausing to look into my eyes and smile. At the same time, I know Jesus was cleansing my soul as He heard my heart’s cry.
Jesus’ face reflected in the water while washing Peter’s feet. Photo courtesy of Jim Forest under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
A newer Good Friday tradition for me is to prostrate myself in prayer at the foot of the cross. What a sacred encounter it is to envision Jesus doing that often as He prayed to God, and especially during the hardest moments of His life.
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” –Matthew 26:37-41 (NIV)
Oh, the richness of this Scripture. We have a Savior who understands all of our human emotions because, in His humanity, He experienced them too. After sharing the Last Supper with His disciples, He became sorrowful and troubled, even to the point of death. What struck me this year was that Jesus took three of the disciples with Him, I believe because He wanted their support and encouragement to face what He knew was next. Yes, Jesus needed spiritual family too. Jesus’ prayer came from the depth of His being as He prostrated Himself before God, being brutally honest, wondering if there could be a different path for Him to follow. Jesus was disappointed that the disciples fell asleep and told them to be faithful in prayer to not fall into temptation. He knew how often we experience the weakness of the flesh that overtakes us.
Sign at the Garden of Gethsemane
Part of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before being crucified
I waited patiently for about thirty minutes until everyone finally left before I prostrated myself in prayer in front of the cross. Once again I prayed that I would be a new creation in Him, and tears came to my eyes as I shared my heart with Jesus. Before I left, I inched toward the cross that was in front of me to touch it. I looked in front of me to see a puddle of water about the size of an index card. To make sure I was not seeing things, I touched the water that had some dirt from the floor in it. I have no explanation as to where the water came from other than it was a “God moment,” as this Scripture verse came to mind when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. –Luke 22:42-44 (NIV)
The rock where Jesus prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane
A day after my encounter, I thought about this Scripture that made me appreciate even more the sacredness of the water that was in front of the cross. God is amazing!
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. –John 19:33-35 (NIV)
God’s orchestration led to Jesus’ legs not being broken, like was customary. Instead, they lanced Jesus’ side, where blood and water started flowing, showing both His humanity and divinity. We have the privilege of having these words and actions written down so we too may believe even more.
My third blessed encounter was at a point in a service when the church was engulfed in darkness except for a candle that each person held. I am mesmerized by the flame and always pray that my light may shine brightly like the candle. I grew concerned when, finally on the fifth try, I extinguished my candle. I was smiling and chuckling quietly at God, seeing it as a sign from Him that He will help me to continue to be His light.
Do you see the “candle” on the water with the sun being the flame? How perfect a friend “happened” to send me this picture this week!
Be encouraged this week to…
… ask God what cleaning needs to be done in your soul.
… prostrate yourself, pouring your heart out to Jesus.
… lay your biggest burden down at the foot of the cross.
… seek ways to shine your light in the dark parts of this world.
REFLECTION:
What supernatural encounter with God have you experienced?
When was there a time you knew God was changing your heart?
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. –Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
