ONE DAY

I’d like to share with you a story from my book, Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends, as one of my Easter week entries. 

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain, One day they nailed Him to die on the tree.  Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!  From One Day, J. Wilbur Chapman, 1909

 One day …Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin.  O what a cute little baby.  Too bad he has to be born in that stinky barn.  It does look like his mom and dad love him.  I’m sure he’ll have a good life.  There’s a lot of commotion going on about him.  I wonder what makes him special.   No dignitary would be born in this place. 

One day they led him up Calvary’s mountain…Is that Jesus, the one we saw in that stable a little over 30 years ago when we went to pay our taxes?  It couldn’t be.  I thought he would rise to greatness in spite of his humble beginning.  What a disappointment.  What pain he must be in.  His poor mother!  I wonder what he did to deserve this.

One day…angels came down o’er his tomb to keep vigil.   Somebody suggested he might be the Messiah.   Obviously they were wrong.  He just died the death of a lowly criminal. 

One day the grave could conceal him no longer.  Somebody said that guy named Jesus is alive.  It can’t be true.  I know he died on that tree three days ago.   I was there, watching. 

One day the trumpet will sound for his coming!  It’s true.  That baby was the Messiah. He is the Messiah. They killed Him, but He didn’t stay dead.  I know.  I talked to Him.  I asked Him to take me with Him to His home.  He promised He would if I’d simply believe He is the Son of God.   I mentioned that awful stuff I’ve done.  He said that would be totally blotted off my record.  How could I not believe!  He has done everything He said He would do.  One day He will fulfill the last of His promises.  This kid from such humble beginning certainly did make good!

 

From about the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land l. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani?” which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”