Jesus rose again- What a relief!

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary states relief as:-

1. The removal or lightening of something oppressive, painful or distressing.
2.  One that takes the place of another.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relief

It has been a busy week for me with a lot of decision-making in regard to employment opportunities and financial planning. Many forms have been filled in and many phone calls have been made. It is a relief, now that decisions have been made and my life is getting back to some routine and order.

Part of this busy week was applying for a job (outside teaching). I have made it successfully through the initial application process, to completing two online assessments, through to a telephone interview. I have been selected for a face to face interview. I am feeling relief that a lot of the process is over. I have a gut feeling that I will get the job.

My job opportunities are moving away from relief teaching but I know how grateful teachers and school administrators have been while I have been available to take their place when they have been ill or had to attend courses.

Relief - one that takes the place of another! There is one that I am relieved took my place. Jesus died on the cross for my sins and yours. He took our place so that we could be forgiven, have a personal relationship with God, and spend eternity with Him. What a relief ... but it came at a cost!

God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world.- 1 Corinthians 7:23. NLT

Jesus was praying with his heart, mind and soul in the garden of Gethsemane. He prayed so intensely that he perspired blood. This is how crucial the situation was, knowing that he had God's will to do ... but it wasn't going to be pleasant sacrificing himself for us. 

"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. 

An angel from heaven strengthened him. A little bit of relief!


It would have been a relief if he could have done it another way. But it wasn't possible. So he allowed himself to be handed over, humiliated, whipped, spat upon and hung on a cross.

Before his death at Golgotha:-

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do".- Luke 23:34. 

Jesus could have demanded our elimination but he chose grace. What a relief for us!

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” - John 19:28. 

This reminds me of the relief one gets after the first mouthful of water after being deprived of something to drink. It also reminds me that we need to thirst after righteousness.

He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. - John 19:30. 

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.- Luke 23:46. 

At this point, Jesus had physical relief as there was no longer the sensation of pain in his body. But he still had to go through spiritual pain, separation from God until his resurrection.

"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact." - Act 2:29-31.

Jesus died on a cross, was placed in a tomb and on the third day rose again. What a relief!

For a really good write up about  the garden of Gethsemane, 

go tohttp://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/22_39-46.htm

Also readers theatre: www.jesuswalk.com/rt/22_39-46.htm

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