In The Darkness

“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

(John 20:15, NIV)

In the dark of that very early morning, the hurried footsteps could be heard in the quietness. Her heart was filled with anxiety. Her hope was almost lost. She was hanging on a thread of the least that was left in her heart. She needed to find the body. One last hope. Just one more to bang on.

To her horror when she reached her destination, the stone was rolled off. The entrance of the tomb was left opened. She panicked. Her only remaining hope. It was gone! The body of the Lord she loved was not there anymore.

She hastily ran to the other men and announced the shocking news. Two men immediately set for the site and soon found the truth. It was gone. The body – it was gone! In the midst of the emptiness they only saw the strips of linen and burial cloth for his head. She was not imagining. These men witnessed it too. The empty tomb.

While the men left, she remained at the spot crying. Her whole being was flooded by a gush of sorrow unspeakable. She stood in the darkness of the wee hours of the morning weeping in tremendous sorrow. Her last hope vanished. She must have stood there confused, afraid and helpless.

A sudden voice interrupted her weeping. She looked up and saw two angels. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She replied quickly, “They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they have put him.” She felt another presence and another voice interrupted her again, “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” “Please, sir, tell me where…I’ll get him,” she muttered in between her sobs.

Jesus then called her name, “Mary.”

In the dark hour and amidst the quietness, I instantly heard him asked me the same question, “Woman, why are you crying?” “I am here.” I felt a sudden closeness of my Lord and heard my name. That was enough. It was suffice to reassure me that he will take care of everything. In the darkest hour. In the darkest night. He is there – always. I may not realize his presence when I am caught in the deepest sorrow, pain, confusion and anguish – just like Mary at the empty tomb. When I thought my last hope was also gone, he appeared. He resurrected it.

That’s the power of his resurrection. He died a cruel death but on the third day, he rose again. He caused the darkest night to break forth with the dawn of his light. He is risen. All hopes are found in him.

We stand here today to celebrate the power of his resurrection. That same power still works today. He did not die in vain.

The power of his resurrection lives in us. Blessed Easter!

Every Life Counts

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;

Jeremiah 1:5, NIV

The door of the clinic opened again. The young woman with her entire family – I assumed the young man is the husband, the older woman her mum and another woman with a child is her sister as they happily exchanged conversation with excitement. She was 5 weeks’ pregnant. I sat quietly and shared her joy as I was reminded of my own experiences.

Another young lady who was chattering loudly the entire waiting time with her friend was called in. She was very pretty and doubled with her loud voice inevitably caught my attention. As soon as she had gone in, the nurse called me to get ready as my turn was next. I moved to the seat right by the entrance to the room – the seat for the upcoming patient. Every time I sat in this clinic, my heart would be filled with such gratitude for four child births that God had seen me through. Today I sat here, waiting for my annual health check (I am not pregnant, in case you are wondering :). Every child’s birth had been significant milestone in our family and spiritual journey. Each has brought such unspeakable joy into our lives.

As my eyes scanned through the waiting room and caught sight of different expressions, I saw in this crowd of people - we were all so similar yet so different. We are women. Some young while others’ wrinkles had carved their character. Some seemed serene while others seemed anxious.

The door opened again. I overheard the doctor announced, “You are pregnant.” The door closed again. Shortly, it opened again and I overheard the patient’s indication of not wanting the child. My heart sank. The door closed again for a long while. I prayed silently.

The young pretty lady walked out. This time her face downcast. She was totally different from when she was waiting. Her jovial self was gone. Her face cringed. I looked at her with deep pain. Obviously, I do not know her nor her actual situation. Otherwise, I would throw my arms around her. I shot another quick prayer for her and went in. The rest of the day and week, I asked God to protect her and guide her to do the right thing. Every mistake must be redeemed. It must not be followed by another mistake. She may have her struggles but that little innocent life in her womb has a destiny, for God knows and set apart every child before conception and birth.

I know of someone who braved through her situation when the man she loved left her when she was pregnant. She delivered a sweet little girl and didn’t want to make another mistake. She repented and redeemed her joy in the Lover of her soul. No birth is an accident. You and I were carefully planned and purposed for his glory. You may not be in that lady's position. Or, you may be the subject of the rejection. Know that God knows you right from the beginning and his eyes have never left you. Experience his love as he sets apart - you, his child for a great purpose.

Join me in prayer to save an unborn child and pray for that young lady that she may meet Jesus if she hasn’t known him yet.

Father, it is so good to know you set me apart and has a plan for me. I pray also for this lady I chanced upon and asked that you will hear her cry. Deliver her from darkness and lead her to your Light and cause her to make the right decision. Protect the unborn child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Death that Brought Us Life

…and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him.

Mark 15:21-24, NIV

The news came. A sad one.
Our cousin in his prime age was called home to be with the Lord after battling for his life the last 40 days in ICU. A more devastating news was the doctors could not find out the problem except to diagnose him as having lung infection. Various tests were negative. A final diagnosis was severe pneumonia.

We made a few calls and rushed down to Kuala Lumpur the next day to pay our last respect and be a support to his parents. It is hard to imagine we will not see him anymore the next family gathering which is normally the annual Chinese New Year season. The funeral was a huge turnout with many relatives and friends. He only has one sister but many cousins as his mum has nine other siblings. It was one of those funerals whereby many attendees were dressed up formally and with a good taste of modern trend. I had thought perhaps that’s the way it is in big city. Then I found out there were local celebrities in the midst whom I only recognized after being made aware of.

A sad occasion as it was but there was a sweet closure for family and friends as we send his body off for cremation and knowing his final destiny was heaven. To a certain extent it was a glamorous funeral with a big gathering of people, soothing music, peaceful sermon, eulogy and lots of flowers and gifts. Although these couldn’t replace the loss of a precious son, brother, or friend yet there were offerings of comfort and peace in the sorrowful event.

My tears dropped and felt such deep grief especially for his parents. It must be horribly painful for the seniors to send off their young. What more their only son! The tiring journey home sent my mind reflecting on many issues. One was the Cross. Upon that Cross was the death that brought us life! It was far from any glamour. He was young and in his prime age too. He died a cruel death.

Death has always been viewed as a dark passage yet we all must walk in it at the end of life’s journey. What a comfort to know there is one extraordinary death which paved the way for us to heaven! His light will shine and greet us and take us to our Father’s House. Jesus was very prepared and ready prior to his death. He talked about it positively and prepared his disciples as they reclined for the Last Supper (Luke 22:7-20).

While many of us fear death, Jesus approached his final day with confidence and certainty in the Father’s will and loving arms. His death gave us victory over sin. We can rejoice because He rose again!

What are we facing today? Remember we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. He paid the price with his life on the Cross so we can enjoy the freedom. So face whatever come our way with confidence and certainty of victory because of this extraordinary death. Do not nullify the power of the Cross.

Our Father in Heaven, thank you for sending Your Son to die for us so that we may live a full life. The world may look at death with fear but we rest assured in You no matter what we face in life including death. Give us strength and fullness for this new day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.