Paradigm Spirituality

Sylvia SyuIn Luke 22:15 Jesus told His disciples,
"I have earnestly and intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Amplified Bible). He used a strong word for "earnestly and intensely desired." He was saying, "I long eagerly to have communion with you. My affections are deeply directed toward sharing this significant holy feast with you." Jesus passionately wants our fellowship. Jesus yearns to intimately share a special meal with us, in the long leisurely custom of those days (also Rev 3:20).
 
          This is my watchword for the Easter season. This is a great time to pause and remember the ways Jesus has shown His love to you during the past year. What are the times or situations since last Easter that you have sensed His presence or received His passionate covenant love and kindness or basked in His intimate goodness? Thank Him for those moments and journal your great gratitude for Him alive, present, and active in your life and in your world.
 
          There can be some seasons in life in which it can be hard to really "see" Jesus. When Mary Magdalene met Jesus at the garden tomb after He had been resurrected, she didn't "see" Him (John 20:11-18). Of all people, she knew Him so well that she should have recognized Jesus immediately, but she didn't. She thought He was the gardener. Jesus was there for her, but she just couldn't see. But then Jesus said her name "Mary," and she immediately knew it was Jesus.
         
          This Easter be blessed to know and appreciate the many ways Jesus is present for you, even if you think He is just the gardener. Ask Him to open your eyes to know Him as His words burn within you on your road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Remember a time when you were toiling away at your ordinary duties, and Jesus addressed you gently as "Friend" and then did something so awesome that you knew immediately that it was He (John 21:1-7).
 
          Read the Easter week narratives in your Bible from your spirit, as if for the first time. Ask God to immerse you deeply in some of the other rich imagery of Easter... "be there" as the triumphant King enters to waving palm branches, "be there" at the Passover meal, "be there" in Gethsemane with the agonizing submitted Son, "be there" at the cross with your crucified Savior, "be there" seeking your Lord in the garden. 
 
          Be touched by the thought in a song from decades ago: He paid much too high a price for you to be merely inspired but not truly changed.
 
For reflection:
Ask God to help you remember times when He was with you. Remember the emotions and stirring of your heart in those times. Ask Him to give you a glimpse into His heavenly realities concerning those times. Ask Him for fresh eyes to see Him in the dailies of life, when He crowns them with His glory. Ask Him if there is anything He wants to say to you today. Open your heart and your spirit to hear Him afresh.
 

Paradigm Audio & Video

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Reflections to Consider

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Paradigm Publications

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Publications

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Paradigm Music

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Music

  • Jesus be the centre

    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • I Lift My Hands

    A powerful hymn of adoration and praise Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. This succinctly captures the joy of knowing our savior. Read More
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Paradigm Reflection

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Christ is a Great Savior: a review of the movie Amazing Grace +

    Amazing Grace is a historical drama about William Wilberforce who was elected to British Parliament at the age of 21 Read More
  • Wilberforce, Hollywood's Amazing Grace, Charlotte Allen +

    William Wilberforce's relentless campaign eventually led the British Parliament to ban the slave trade, in 1807, and to pass a Read More
  • Making Beauty out of Ugly Things: Grace by U2 +

    Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace, she carries Read More
  • The True Nature of Grace and Love: a movie review of the Soloist +

    The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Read More
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