Forget the Timing … Believe the Experts

S - Mark 15:44-45 (NIV): "Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph"

O - Jesus is full of surprises and this one is curious to me.  The Romans had crucifixion down to both an art and a science.  Clearly Pilate's expectations of duration for this turbulent Jewish Rabbi's execution were playing out differently than he thought … pretty much like all the events of the last few hours.  Jesus won't defend himself, the people won't let him release their "king" and Jesus doesn't last as long on a cross as most folks do.  This surprise concerning his death will be verified by an expert witness before he grants the request of Joseph.  Of course the surprises won't end there.  Three days later an even bigger surprise greets our world.  The duration of Jesus' death, like his dying, would defy all expectations as well. This too would be verified by experts, by those who would really know if it was Jesus raised from the dead.  Why not believe the experts on both counts?  As the Scripture asks (Acts 26:8): "Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?"

A - Like Pilate I'm just about always off when I try to figure out the timing of Jesus and God's will on earth.  Most things take way longer than I think they should and then there are others which speed along … some of which are painfully difficult.  The beauty is that resurrection life is the point, is always present … if 2 or 3 gather in my name … I am with you always to the end of the age.  My assignment is to believe, to wait, to stay near and trust because nothing is impossible, too difficult or too wonderful for him who is life.

P - Lord who lives,
Thank you for this day on planet earth … a day that you hold, shape, govern, steward and work according to your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness. Jesus, help me in my very little mind and thinking to calibrate to you and your kingdom which is so near … to repent!  Help me start with you and then move to my world and circumstance so that your kingdom will come and your will will be done in me and through me like it happens in heaven.  Today is my day to stay near, to trust, to believe and to work with you in that which you already have in mind to do.  Touch my eyes, my heart, my mind unto the life that is really life.
Believing,
Steve