Jilly Brandon

The grave did not hold him back.. it could not, there was nothing that could restrain him, no force powerful enough on the earth.

He overcame the grave… Jesus did, and because of that, I have hope. Death does not have the final last word.. there is more.. so much more, if you dare to believe it. It seems impossible.. and it would be, if you were not the son of God.

I’ve only watched “ The Passion of the Christ,” by Mel Gibson twice. Once was in the movie theatre, and once in my home. It was too much.. it is horrific, over the top love, that could not be contained. It was a love that withstood everything that evil threw at it, and it overcame. It was triumphant.. all consuming…

The suffering, the agony of Jesus hanging on the primitive wooden cross, spikes driven through his hands and feet, with a crown of thorns piercing through his skin trying to get through his scalp and into his brain.. trying to destroy him.. and the act of a soldier stabbing him in the side… had he not suffered enough? The soldier was making sure he was dead, but Jesus had ascended to heaven already. He decided… He chose….He asked his Father if there could be away that he did not have to go to the cross.. but even though it would cost him everything.. He was willing..

That anguish, and utter torture… and the brutality of hanging there between the dirt of earth and the magnificence of heaven, torn apart.. opened wide for all the world to see..

He was hated, he was maligned and mistreated, misunderstood, and laughed at… but he stood for love. That was the message.. I love you no matter what you have done, or what you will do.. I love you.. and love is enough.. Love will conquer death.. that’s how powerful His love for mankind is.

Even then, he did the thing.. he was the sacrifice..His Father turned his back on him as he was strung out upon that cross.. the whole earth became dark; there were earthquakes; the blue planet was rocked.

The King of the Jews was crucified.. while his Mother sat, and watched.

I am a Mother.. and there is no way I could have sat there, and watched that happen to one of my children..but she did it.. she drew strength from her son, and honored his will to become the greatest sacrificial lamb of all time.

Of course she loved him, who wouldn’t love a “ perfect” son?

She probably got the best, hand made”Mother’s Day cards.” Maybe breakfast in bed, the best wine made from water in a chalice, wild flowers picked from a field..and she had the unconditional love of the Son of God, who she was hand picked to bare. She held his little baby hands in hers, she changed his diaper, washed his little body, nourished him from her breast… sang him a lullaby before bed..

The faith of Jesus Mother… that is a faith worth having.

The song “ Mary did you know,”

“Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sins and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God

Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb? That sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am

Mary did you know? Mary did you know?

(Song writers: Buddy Greene/Mark Lowry)

I often think about what their conversations were about. What wisdom could she impart to the son of God? How do you teach a son like that.. As she was washing the dishes, and he was drying, what words passed between Mother and son?..

How about the chore list? He could have performed miracles to transport them into an earthy palatial estate, with men and maidservants by the droves, but that is not how he chose to live life.. He came to serve… The King of the universe came to be a servant.. I can’t even wrap my brain around it..

Family life with Jesus.. was there even a typical day in the life?

Was everything atypical, because he was tempted, but he did not sin.. I’m tempted a lot, and I do sin… as the Apostle Paul says… and I paraphrase.. “the things I want to do, I do not, and the things I don’t want to do, I do… “ That pretty much sums it up…

It is about His love… that’s why he came to live among us, that’s why he died.. for love … and when he gave up his life on the cross.. He said..” it is finished.”

When Mary went to find him in his tomb, after his crucifixion …she found the tomb empty.. How could this be?

Jesus has risen from the dead, and with that.. our salvation..

Thank you Jesus.. for your great sacrifice.. I can live, because of your great love for me.. for all of mankind….Thank you Thank you.. thank you …..I will remember you..