Handshakes at the Resurrection

There was a show on television a few years ago called “The Best Week Ever”. It was centered around celebrities who happened to have a good week. Whether they announced they were having a child, their television show was ranked number 1, or they got a bit part in the next Star Wars movie, it was considered they had “The Best Week Ever.” Sadly though, there are many families that can say the opposite, they had “The Worst Week Ever.”
It began with the passing of Leo Anderson. Many people knew Leo. I knew him personally for the last 15 years. He was a taciturn individual, though he was always smiling, as Stephanie Hand remarked, “He didn't say much, but he was always smiling.”
Leo and I had a unique handshake. It wasn't one that looked like a 22 minute choreographed dance routine, nor was it a pump your shoulder out of it's socket handshake. Those who witnessed it couldn't understand how we could do it. They would remark that they had never seen a handshake like it. Leo and I chalked it up to poor eyesight. The only thing I can truly say about it is this: Our hands didn't touch. We would miss our hands, the backs would be even and then we would shake. I can't remember how it originated, but we always shook our hands that way. After a couple of pumps, we would connect and shake hands correctly.
I know there will come a day when I can shake his hand again. I know there will be a resurrection for all, because Christ was resurrected. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV). It is because of the resurrection that I know that I will see Leo again. Though I mourn in the physical world, I rejoice in my spirit, for he has gone home and he has heard the wonderful phrase, “Job well done good and faithful servant.”
At the end of the week, on Good Friday, misfortune again struck a family. Reverend Richard Palmer had a stroke. Thankfully, his family was with him and they were able to get to a hospital. While it has been a difficult time for the family, God is working and healing. He has been progressing steadily. There is still a lot that needs to be done, and we all appreciate the prayers that have been offered throughout many of the churches this last week. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and all those that are close to him. I know that God is working and healing.
It is during the most difficult times that we can go to Jesus. We must cast our burdens on him and allow him to work for us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV) No matter what happens, the Father in Heaven is in control. It is because of His Son that we all have the hope of eternal life. When that time comes, there will be lots of handshakes at the resurrection.

Laying Your Palm Branches Down

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It was named by the Presidential Committee of Naming Holidays, when they met on the Sunday before Easter to determine the names of all the holidays. While they were meeting, one of them became enlightened, slapped his forehead with his palm and exclaimed, “Next week is Easter!” All right, we know that's not true, committees don't become enlightened.
Palm Sunday signifies the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. While entering into Jerusalem, the crowds were so excited with his coming that they sang songs of joy and praise and laid palm branches before him. “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the King of Israel!'” (John 12:12,13 NIV)
Why are palm branches specifically mentioned? Couldn't it have meant the same if it just said, “They took branches and went out to meet him. . .” It does describe palm branches for a reason. Palm trees symbolized victory and joy. They were carrying the palm branches in their hands and laying them before Jesus as they realized the victory and joy that he was going to bring them. He was going to bring them victory over Satan and the joy of eternal life.
Many of the people there, were witnesses to the resurrection of Lazarus. They told many other people what Jesus had done at the tomb of Lazarus. This brought and increased crowd to Jesus, “Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.” (John 12:17,18 NIV) All of these people knew that Jesus had the power over death and would save them.
Remember back to a time when you committed your life to Christ. In most cases, someone told you about Jesus. Remember how excited you were. Remember how you wanted to tell everyone you met about the change in your life. Remember after a while, the emotional excitability wore off. Remember now how it doesn't matter to you if you talk about Jesus or not. Remember how it's taboo to talk about Jesus.
Jesus hasn't changed. He still has the power over sin and death. He has conquered Satan.
Take this time now to remember the triumphal entry Jesus made into your life. Become excited all over again. Sing songs of joy and praise. Lay the palm branches before your heart. Perhaps someone will come because they have heard and seen in you all the things that have happened and they want to see Jesus also.