March Madness is the only time each year I watch basketball. I tire of the
entertainment value that has taken over sports on both a professional and
collegiate level, but make an exception each March. I know nothing of the
teams, but watch as the underdogs battle the favorites, in many cases this year
winning. A true David and Goliath battle, with tears and hugs on both the
winners and losers fans. And from the Sweet Sixteen, when I was 16 she was a
girl, to eh Elite 8, the Final Four, and ultimately the finals, I watch. With
magazine in hand, as reading still is more entertaining to the end. And with
local fever hitting a high note, SDSU made the Sweet 16, tomorrow we will either
sing their praises, or listen to the excuses of how they lost. And baseball
starts Sunday...which means springtime is officially here, no matter what the
calendar says. And as one season ends, another begins, with each team in first
place on opening day, all hopeful, only to change after the first games are
over.
When we were in elementary school in the last century, we were taught that
April showers bring May flowers. And if it’s raining, have no regrets, because
it is really raining violets, to paraphrase the tune. But then there was
March. We were told that March comes in like a lion, and leaves like a lamb.
That March enters in winter, and leaves in spring, and that spring is the time
of new birth. Of a time when a young man’s heart turns to fancy, and many of
our hearts turn to riding, after being cooped up all winter. The bikes come out
of hibernation, we find the leathers are a bit tighter than when we parked them
last fall, and all the trips to the bike shop keeping hopes alive for spring are
now being rewarded, with only the promise of newer and faster models making our
old familiar ride seem old. But after one ride, no matter the cold, all is
forgiven, and we spring forward to daylight savings time, and we can ride later
into the afternoon, even though we take off in early morning darkness. But soon
the lion of winter has given way to the springtime, and March Madness has given
over to springtime riding, and all is forgotten. If only we were that
forgiving.
Springtime also brings Easter, the time when the Christian Church
recognizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three days after Good Friday, we
celebrate with bright Easter colors, and the season that came in like a lion,
goes out like a lamb. Oh, how times change. For when we get to the heart of
Easter, we find that Jesus was sacrificed as the Lamb, the Lamb of God, the only
perfect sacrifice for our sins. Without blemish, sin, or fault, He went to the
cross for us. And for that we celebrate Easter, the mainline church and society
overlooking Good Friday. We call it good, but for Jesus it was terror. Six
hours of hanging, nailed to the cross, after a beating of 39 lashes.
Humiliated, beaten, they even drew lots for His clothes, and mocked Him, “if you
are truly the Son Of God, come down and save yourself.” Instead, He chose to
save us. He went out like a lamb, the lamb He was, allowing doubters to cast
Him off as just a religious zealot, and not who He said He was.
Sadly many choose to only remember Easter, and forget His words before Good
Friday. That after three days He would rise, and that you cannot have an Easter
without a God Friday. And so He did, and so shall we, and those who are still
alive wait anxiously for His return. The time when He will call for His church,
and we shall be taken from here in the twinkling of an eye. And so we find that
Jesus is just the opposite of March, He went out like a lamb, and will return
like a lion. He will defeat the devil once and for all, and after the rapture,
the worst 7 years ever on earth will take place. Then this gentle lamb, will
bind Satan, and for 1000 years, peace on earth, and the lion and the lamb will
once again be at peace. And then the final battle, Satan gone forever, and we
will all worship the Lamb of God. Both those who believed and trusted them with
their lives, and those who didn’t, who will be in hell, for it is written that
“every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
And like the outcome of March Madness, there will be any tears in defeat, but
many cheers in victory. Today you can choose whether you will win or lose. The
outcome is told, and o Vegas odds makers can change it. We win if we are in
Jesus. The ne who went out like a lamb, and comes back like a lion, will have
rescued us from our sin.
And so when faced with Sweet 16, we find Jesus chose 12, men of no
reputation, to be His ambassadors. The Final four will turn to the Finals, we
have had all along the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And in the finals,
it is Jesus by a landslide. Even by the numbers we win, but when in the spirit,
we cannot lose.
We are told the season of His return, what to look out for, the signs are
there. NO date given, so don’t fall for that one. You can relieve your March
Madness, or any madness today by turning to Christ. Be on the winning team,
celebrate with Jesus forever. Enjoy the season of His return, and answer His
call. NO overtime for those who choose not to follow Him, He is still patient,
but time is getting short. Don’t be the last one saved at the buzzer, enjoy the
victory today. Celebrate Good Friday, look to the cross. See where the lamb
went out voluntarily, and see the Easter celebration when He rose from the
dead. Seasons come, and seasons go-Jesus left and is returning. Some call it
madness, I call it truth. Out like a lamb, in like lion. So when you see
clouds upon the hill, soon you will see daffodils. Whenever April showers come
your way.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com