When the penny doesn't drop

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 'Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.'" John 19. 23-24

It is easy to skip over the detail about how the Roman soldiers divided up Jesus' garments, as he hung above them on the cross, and then gambled for the final item. But even this seemingly trivial detail finds significance, as it fulfils the prophecy of Psalm 22. 18. How often do we fail to appreciate the significance of seemingly trivial details or, like the soldiers, trivialise important events by indulging our baser instincts?

At every level, Easter is a challenge: to the esteem in which we hold God, our treatment of others, the strength of our faith, the weakness of our character... The list continues but one thing cuts across it all: The same power which raised Jesus from death is at work in those who believe! That incredible fact ought to propel us out of any ignorance or despondency. We are no longer prisoners of our circumstances, oblivious to what is going on. Our old nature has been crucified with Christ and his new life is pulsating through us. You may not feel it but you had better believe it...