But This Isn't Rome!

Luke 24:1–3 (ESV)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

This week I have been thinking a lot about two special needs young men that I have known – Cain (who was a member at Lamb of God) and Eric (who is a member of Trinity).  I suppose they have been on my mind because this past Sunday (Easter) Eric (who is pictured on the cover photo for this blog) carried the cross in the Processional for our Easter Sunday worship.  That made me think of Cain who loved to acolyte and carry the cross at Lamb of God.  Here is a picture of Cain his parents gave me. (You have to watch the video to see this).  These two young men are very special to me, and have taught me by example what it means to be an eager servant of God.

I have been thinking this week about something Cain’s mom and dad told me shortly after he was called home to be with Jesus.  They were trying to explain to me what it is like to learn you have a special needs child.  They said, “It’s like you are taking a trip to Rome. However when you land and get off the plane, you discover that you are in Amsterdam, not Rome. At first you are confused and thrown off balance.  You don’t know what to do or how to feel.  But soon you discover that Amsterdam is a pretty cool place too – with lots of great places to visit and enjoy.”  One thing I can tell you about Cain’s parents and Eric’s parents – both are really glad God took them to Amsterdam instead.  Both love and are so thankful for the gift of their sons. 

That got me to thinking about Jesus and his followers.  When they started to follow Jesus, none of them expected to “get off the plane” at Calvary, at the cross.  They all believed Jesus was the Messiah. But they thought that meant that He would lead them to golden crowns, not a crown of thorns… to David’s throne not to Good Friday’s cross. This really threw them off balance.  They were confused and afraid that Good Friday.  They didn’t know how to feel or what to do, so they went into hiding.  But then on Easter morning they discovered that Jesus had led them to an even better place than they had ever hoped or dreamed.  He led them to an empty tomb.  He led them to the message of the angels, “He is not here.  He is risen!”  He led them to forgiveness… to the knowledge of how much God loves them… to life everlasting.  Instead of David’s throne He had led them to the throne of God, to the kingdom of heaven!

God does the same thing in each of our lives.  We follow God thinking we are going to Rome and He leads us to Amsterdam.  We expect being His child will lead us to a wonderful life with no problems.  Instead He leads us to a cross.  I think of husbands and wives who came home to their spouse one day and were told, “I don’t love you anymore.  I am leaving.”  I think of parents who learned their child had cancer.  I think of people who have suddenly found themselves out of work.  I think of people who have prayed and prayed and prayed to recover from cancer, only to get worse.  I think of my own mom and dad.  Their oldest daughter was born without any special needs.  Then at two years old she got very sick, spent the rest of her life deaf and with a medically damaged brain.  It was as if they landed in Rome, took a taxi to the hotel and then arrived in Amsterdam. 

I think it’s true that somehow in all our lives, God eventually leads us to places where we didn’t expect to go.  In one way or another, He eventually leads us to the cross.  At the moment we are dazed and confused.  “This isn’t Rome!  How can this be what God wants?  Why would He lead me here?”   But then, like the women at His tomb, we discover by faith that God is taking us someplace better.  That because Jesus died and rose again, through our journey to the cross is God leading us to our Easter… to real life, eternal life, hope, and peace that passes understanding.  I know that Cain’s mom and dad, as well as Eric’s would tell you that God used these two special needs young men to strengthen their family in faith… to lead them to and keep them close to Him.  I can tell you that in our family, the faith of my oldest sister Bobbie was used by God’s Holy Spirit to bring and keep each of us close to our Savior Jesus.  He led us through the cross to the empty tomb.

Thank God with me this Easter Week.   No, “this isn’t Rome!”  But because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we can live in this confidence – Even when we don’t understand why God has led us to a cross in life, we can be sure He is leading us to a place way better than we ever hoped for.  Eric, Cain, and Bobbie – “Thanks for letting God use you in our lives.”