Cruising down the 15 the other afternoon, standing out among the dull colored grey and black jelly bean shaped cars, was this beautiful, blue Packard. Now Packards have always stood out, in the heyday of luxury and Classics, they were among the top cars to be owned. Built to a standard, instead of a price, they were what luxury was all about, and many a young man heading up the corporate ladder was known to have said "someday I'll own a Packard." And with that same majesty, here was one, cruising at the speed limits over 70 years later. But what had initially caught my eye was its color-one that stood out from even the conservative dark Packard colors.
And at first I thought what an interesting color for this old car, one of the Seventeenth Series, Packard reluctantly added model years to their cars, referring to them as the series from which they had been engineered, (much like Mercedes Benz refers to their cars today, like the 220, 211, 203, 230, etc.) And it turned out it was a 1939, a convertible sedan, like the yellow one Evelyn Mulwray drove in Chinatown. But instead of a light yellow-one of my favorites, this car was the most beautiful light blue, and just the opposite of the other Packard blue, which was so dark it appeared black. And in addition to the color, the other things glowing were the smiles of the old couple driving it, beaming like the blue, as they were enjoying driving their Packard. And like the old ad advised, did they like their Packard? "Just ask the man who owns one."
Now I have this thing for Packards, and was looking through Classic Car that night. And here was a story about another Seventeenth Series car, a sedan. Painted the same color! A special springtime color, it had a metallic to it, just a reminder to those of you who think all cars were black back then. Pottery Blue Iridescent-what a beautiful name for a beautiful color-on a beautiful car. Perhaps the perfect spring color, and with its wide white wall tires, this car just bloomed with spring! Like a shinny Easter Egg on display.
But sadly too many think Easter is about bunnies and eggs. And it is time for their other bi-annual trip to church for these CEO's-Christmas and Easter only attendees. But God chose this time of year, Passover, a time of redemption, to show His love to us. It was a sad Friday-at least at the time, for Jesus. One week earlier He had been greeted in Jerusalem with cheers of "Hosanna," save us, and in less than one week the same crowd was yelling "Crucify Him!" His treasure had sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver-the price of a wounded slave, and even His staunchest supporter, Peter, had denied Him to a teenage girl. And none of them could be found that Friday, at the cross.
But what a difference three days makes. As the disciples found His tomb empty. He has risen, just like He said! And that is why we celebrate Easter today-it truly is a Resurrection Day! And you can be too, just like Jesus promised.
To have Easter, you must first have a Good Friday. You must die to self, and give your life over to Christ. And then you will be raised with Him upon death. Your life, which may be a series of Good Fridays-bad times, loss of friends, and other woes, will be turned into Easter-changed forever, and defeating death! More to life than eggs and bunnies could ever represent.
And so Packard chose the perfect springtime color for this convertible. Two doors of glory, still alive, resurrected if you would, celebrating spring and a new birth. And after a harsh winter, what a pretty car to see. If you aren't celebrating today, maybe you need some resurrecting too. Dump the old, and put on the new! Seek Jesus, and watch as your sad Friday turns into a good one-and then how Easter causes you to celebrate the risen savior-Jesus!
No matter the color of your car, today is a great day to celebrate Jesus. And if you are looking for a new color, let me point you to this Seventeenth Series Pottery Blue Iridescent! A color that reminds me of new life! And may I suggest a savior-Jesus, who will give you new life. First and last in a series, the Alpha and the Omega! A classic savior-and you don't have to wait for Easter!
Ask the men who know Him!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com