Sunday morning retuning: Jesus is in control. It is a life-changing truth we celebrate on Easter and everyday. The fact that He is in control can change my perspective on everything, if I will let it. If you missed Pastor Myron walking us through Luke 22:47-53, you can find his message and some other helpful resources here.
Enjoy the following contribution from guest columnist, Dr. Sherri Harper Woods
The residence of Madam Jacq was a 10’ x 25’ concrete female only cell holding at least eight women at the Port de Paix prison in Haiti. It was as luxurious as an Embassy Suite Presidential room compared to the seven other 10’ x 30’ cells which each held 30-40 men with only 12 mattresses per cell. These inhumane conditions would not be permitted in the United States.
The prison system in Haiti is known for its acts of injustice. The accused are considered guilty until proven innocent and little is done to prove their innocence. In fact, if the accused is unable to be found, a member of his/her family is arrested and must serve the time. Madam Jacq is serving a life sentence for a crime she did not commit, suffers from heart trouble, and does not have the use of her legs. With contentment she sat on the bottom bunk and listened to the word of God being read in English. She smiled and then read Philippians 4: 4-20 in Haitian Creole. As the prison evangelist read the Word, I could hear the personal proclamation of truth within her voice declaring she would think on true, pure and lovely things, be content even in the confinement of prison, rejoicing always and that she could do all things (even a life sentence) through Christ who gives her strength.
Even in her dire state she evangelized to the visiting to our missionary group through her animated smile. As she crawled to the cell door to receive prayer from her American mission sisters for heart troubles that were “interfering with her spreading the Word of God”, she smiled.
As I reflect on the suffering Christ chose to experience out of His love for me, I understand why Madam Jacq smiled the whole time she explained her circumstances. Her smile represents her confession of faith, it represents that she believes that there is healing power in the prayers of the righteous. Her smile is a portrayal of her belief in the power of the passion. It is her acknowledgement to Jesus that she receives the gift of God’s promises and power given to her through the anguish of His death, burial, and resurrection.
During Holy Week, Madam Jacq offers us hope from Haiti. The thought of Madam Jacq in the face of doom—a life sentence for someone else’s crime, paralyzed, malnourished, and enduring inhumane conditions—in the midst of the darkest type of night, a lifetime of nights—is horrific! Yet, in contrast, the thought of Jesus surrendering his life, enduring physical torture and suffering for us—for me, is terrific! The thought of the passion of Christ commands my spirit to bellow Hallelujah! If Madam Jacq, involuntarily imprisoned for a lifetime in an inhumane cell can still find joy and contentment from the gifts of the cross, certainly I can experience joy because Jesus voluntarily gave up his life and died in complete innocence for me!
The celebration of Easter is a chance to remember the greatest love story ever made. It is a fragrant bouquet scented of faith, trust, with the vibrant promise that Jesus loved us enough to endure suffering. The question is do you passionately love Him enough to trust Him with your suffering? The passion Christ displays at the cross is a present, continuing passion. It is never ending.
Take a moment and picture what it must have been like for Christ to experience your suffering. See the blood running down from his brow and the nails in his hand. Feel the humility of the most painful method of public death, placement on a wooden cross. Picture the nails driven through the hands and feet of Jesus, an innocent victim. See the cross being lifted and jarred into the ground, tearing His flesh, racking his body with excruciating pain. Now, SMILE!
Jesus, I smile and appreciate the gifts and the joyous power given by your shed blood. I have joy that it wasn’t the nails that held you to the Cross but it was your love. I breathe in the air representing your power, authority and your love for my life. I will keep fresh in my mind the reminder that because of the passion of Christ, I can look in the face of ANY adversity and sing the Anthem – Hallelujah, We have won the victory. Hallelujah, Jesus has won it all for me. Death could not hold you down. You are the risen King. Seated in majesty. Jesus, you are the risen King!
If you need a reminder, listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nejE7J1d9Yg
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