And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee.   And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life. And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man. For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon: and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Luke 18: 28-33- ASV)

 

The first of the sabbaths Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, darkness still being on it, and she saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him. Therefore Peter and that other disciple went forth and came to the tomb. So they both ran together. And the other disciple outran Peter and came first to the tomb. And stooping down he saw the linens lying, yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb. And he saw the linens lying there. And the grave-cloth that was on His head was not lying with the linens, but was wrapped up in one place by itself. Therefore, then, that other disciple also went in, the one who came first to the tomb. And he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to themselves. But Mary stood outside of the tomb, weeping. And as she wept, she stooped down into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting there, the one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said to her, Woman, why do weep? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him. And when she had said this, she turned backward and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek? Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, Sir, if you have carried Him away from here, tell me where you have laid Him and I will take Him away. 16  Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned herself and said to Him, Rabboni! (which is to say, Master!) Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her. (John 20: 1-18- MKJV)

 

 

I LOOKED UP THE WORD PRESERVE THE WORD PERSERVER IS THE ADJATIVE OF THE WORD PRESERVE; AND IT MEANS: TO KEEP ALIVE OR IN EXISTENCE.  TO KEEP SAFE FROM HARM OR INJURY, PROTECT OR SPARE.

 

WE CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD EACH EASTER, WE REFLECT ON HIS CURCIFIXION, AND WE READ: For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon: and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.  (LUKE 18:32-33) JESUS ALREADY KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE TO KILL HIM, HOWEVER, HE SAID WITH CONFIDENCE THAT ON THE THIRD DAY HE WOULD RISE AGAIN.  IN OTHER WORDS, JESUS WAS CONFIDENT THAT GOD WOULD PRESERVE HIM.

 

HOW MANY OF US BELIEVE OUR LIVES ARE BEING PRESERVED?  KEPT SAFE, KEPT FROM HARM OR INJURY.  If Jesus had not died and rose again more than 2000 years ago, none of us would have a preserver and all of us would be in desperate need for one.

 

I don’t know about you, but I have experienced some things that are harder to preserve than others.  How many of us have noticed how milk spoils faster depending on the temperature of the refrigerator, the temperature outside, how long the children leave it sitting out and so forth, however eggs may not spoil as rapidly. Although they are both dairy products, one spoils a lot faster than the other.

 

That is just like some of us; sometimes we need the preserver to keep us from harm, danger or injury. If Jesus did not breathe the breath of life through our nostrils every day, we would not be able to live. Yet, he is sometimes the last person we will turn to, believe in or go to for help.  Beloved it is not shameful for us to need life preserver.

 

Jesus came for the sole purpose to die on the cross so that he could become our only preserver for life. There are many kinds of things that are used in this world to preserve different kinds of products. For instance, lilies are preserved by soil, fertilizer, water, sun etc.  milk is preserved by vitamins being added to it, being pasteurized, kept in a very cool temperature, vegetables (fresh ones) are preserved by watering them while in the grocery store, (we have seen the sprinkling system come on while you were standing near some fresh vegetables), they are also preserved by sun, rain, some are better after the first frost falls on them, etc.  meats are sometimes preserved by being hung in the meat house, especially in the old days when you lived in the country and lots of salt was put on them.  Now some of it is flash frozen, in other words it is frozen quickly to keep it from spoiling, some is still salted, most of it has to be refrigerated, and there is a multitude of ways for all of the foods we eat to be preserved so we can be protected.

 

There was only one thing needed for Jesus to preserve us and that is his already shed blood.  Some people think they can preserve themselves and will not under any circumstances turn to the only person who can keep them. What they need more than anything else is to accept our risen Savior, so they can receive eternal life.  He did as the word stated: and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Luke 18: 33 b - ASV)

 

As we think about the sacrifice that Jesus makes for each of us each day, let us be willing not to try to preserve ourselves, but allow Jesus to be our preserver and use us as he chooses. We should look around every day during our travels and ask the Holy Spirit to show you who might need a life preserver.  When he does ask them, are you in need of a preserver for life?   If they answer yes let them know, I know one his name is Jesus, won’t you accept him today?