Resting Place

 

This may be a little morbid, but some people put a lot of thought and plan where they would like to be buried when they die. Typically, people choose to place they were born or lived the majority of their life, or where their parents/ancestors are buried. 

Nothing is ever a coincidence or accident with God though, not even Jesus's temporary resting place, because Jesus was not buried in a family tomb or in Bethlehem where he was born - but I found it really interesting as I was reading John 19 a detail that has somehow always slipped my notice before... 

 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. 

~John 19: 41-42~

I knew that he had been buried in a new tomb, that was not surprising, but I quickly read the burial account in the other three gospels Jesus's burial place is only referenced as 'the tomb' and none of them mention this one detail that John's gospel mentions. 

This tomb was in a garden!

I don't know if this was a common practice for burial places to be in gardens in this culture or time (if anyone does know, let me know!) But like I said earlier, nothing is ever a coincidence with God, and I laughed. 

It is just so fitting that God - who's very heart is for redemption of everything and everyone - would redeem a garden, where original sin came into the world and where that sin was able to be broken forever.  For eternal life to be in a garden once again...and I thought that was just something really beautiful to share! :)  

God Speed

I love going for walks. Either with friends, by myself, with a destination in mind, with no set course. There's something that seems so purposeful about it.  

It is completely intentional and means taking a physical action, even if it is 'just the next step'. 

So I've always thought of it as purely a physical discipline, (like how some people will walk a certain distance or route every day) but as I was reading through scripture I found that, it talks about walking quite a lot - and not just because there were no cars available, so I got thinking...maybe walking is also intended as a spiritual discipline as well. 

The first physical instance is actually modeled by God, He walks in the garden with Adam and Eve [Genesis 3:8], and during his time on earth Jesus could have chosen to take a chariot, or a number of animals to travel on during his ministry and didn't. He chose walking pace. 

This is God speed.

Consistent, unhurried, He was able to guide others on their journey, able to simply invite others to journey with Him. 

God walks with us, and we can walk with Him.

Just as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, David (and many others) - the bible says they all walked faithfully with him.  

And He asks us to do so as well! 

 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul..."

~Deuteronomy 10:12~

 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

~Micah 6:8~

The use of the word Walk in the above verses is to indicate 'the way in which someone acts, behaves or conducts themselves', rather than the physical act. 

 There are also several verses that speak about how one can find themselves 'walking' in darkness or wickedness and admonishes us to walk in the light instead: 

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."

~Psalm 1:1 ~

 "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers."
~Proverbs 4:14~

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

~Psalm 89: 14-15~

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

 ~John 8:12~

Which is why God has given us His spirit, to help us to choose to and continue to walk in the light! To conduct ourselves as God would!

 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." 

~Galatians 5:16~

 "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ~Ephesians 5:1-2~

And so this spiritual discipline of walking is very important. Just like the physical journey, it's intentional, purposeful.

The majority of the time it is not easy. 

Sometimes it's flat plateau, where things are clear or routine Sometimes it's uphill...or (seems like) up-mountain...

But God has said:

"I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people."

~2 Corinthians 6:16~

"I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."

 ~2 John 1: 5-6~

God, help us to walk in step with You, whatever that may look like in our lives! 

Amen!