When Caterpillars Become Butterflies

Two caterpillars were crawling across a hot sidewalk when a butterfly flew over them. One caterpillar told the other, “I wouldn’t get up in that thing for a million dollars.”  It’s hard for a caterpillar to imagine that it will one day become a butterfly. 

The caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly is picture of the resurrection body. When Jesus’ beaten, dead body was placed in the tomb, three days later it came back to life and was transformed into a glorious, powerful resurrection body. It was the same body because the holes were still in His hands.

Jesus was the first to receive a resurrection body, and every believer in Him will also receive one. Our bodies will be transformed from our current “caterpillar” form into our future “butterfly” status. John tells us, “Now we are children of God, and we have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like Him” (1 John 3:2).

Our resurrection bodies will literally radiate brightness, just like Jesus after He was glorified (Rev. 1:14,16). “The righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt. 13:43). Our resurrection bodies will have supernatural abilities (1 Cor. 15::40-43), and we’ll never get tired or need sleep. God will expand our knowledge so we’ll understand concepts that are impossible to grasp with our present knowledge (1 Cor. 13:12).

Why will it be necessary to have supernatural strength and knowledge? It’s because we will be serving God throughout eternity (Rev. 22:3). Those eternal assignments will require us to be advanced in every way. We won’t know what our duties will be until we get there. Until that day comes, be faithful in serving the Lord here on earth. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com 

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net 

Why Did Jesus Ask for Two Donkeys?

Jesus told two of His disciples, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me” (Matt. 21:2). Wait a minute. Why did Jesus need two donkeys? He intended to ride the young colt into Jerusalem. The colt had never been ridden on (Luke 19:30), and the mother donkey would come along to keep her offspring calm.

When He rode into Jerusalem, it was to announce He was their long-awaited Messiah and to fulfill a prophecy given 500 years earlier: “Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt” (Zech. 9:9).

Jesus rode on the young colt, and the mother donkey may have walked next to them. He didn’t come riding on a white horse, like a king coming to conquer. To signify He was coming in peace, the Prince of Peace humbly rode on a small donkey. That would be like the President of the United States riding on a tricycle in his Inaugural Parade.

The multitudes spread garments and palm branches on the road, while crying out, “Hosanna . . . Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt. 21:9). Jesus was their King, but He explained, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He wasn’t going to overthrow Rome and sit on an earthly throne, but would be dying for the sins of the world.

In a few days, the same crowd that cried “Hosanna!” (which means “Save now!”) would be yelling “Crucify Him!” The next time He comes, He won’t ride on a donkey. He will be on a white horse to judge the world (Rev. 19:11).

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  ******************************************************************************************

Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net   

God's Tear Bottle

David prays, “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8) David is referring to the custom of collecting tears in a tear bottle. Tear bottles were vessels used to catch and preserve the owner’s tears during times of grief and sorrow. When ancient tombs have been opened, tear bottles have been found in large numbers.

Each member of the family owned a tear bottle, which was considered one of the most cherished possessions because it represented all the heartaches and sorrows of the individual. When a person died, his tear bottle was buried with him.

On one occasion, Jesus was in the home of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-40). A woman came into the house and washed His feet with her tears. It’s unlikely she would have been able to cry enough tears to wash His feet, so it’s possible that she took her tear bottle with her and poured her tears on His dusty feet. Those tears could not be replaced, so she might have been buried without a bottle of tears next to her in the tomb.

David’s prayer reminds us that God also has a “tear bottle” where He counts each pain and suffering, and remembers every tear that His children shed.  If you are going through a difficult time right now and crying tears of pain and sorrow, God promises a better tomorrow to His children who trust in Him:

Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night (now), but joy comes in the morning (future).”

Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow in tears (now) shall reap with joyful shouting (future).”

Jeremiah 31:13 “For I will turn their mourning (now) into joy (future)”

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn (now), for they shall be comforted (future).”

Revelation 21:4  “He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes…there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain (future).” www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com 

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net