Since I moved to Alberta I have been continually aware of the similarities between farmers and miners. They work equally hard, often don't get paid, but would never want to be doing anything else. They also work with expensive machinery that always seems to break down, and they are very inventive when it comes to fixing it. Both have shops full of tools and bits and pieces of machinery because they never know when they might have to rig something to keep the operation going. Both farmers and miners know a lot about half way measures that are enough to keep their equipment running until the season is over.

Half way measures are well known in the Bible too. When Jesus became man he provided a way for us all to come into the presence of God. Because of Jesus we are able to pray and know that God is listening. Because of Jesus we are able to know that God is with us every moment of the day. But in a way, what Jesus did was a half-way measure. Yes, His salvation is complete and perfect, but, as the Dad driving to his vacation destination tells the kids in the back seat, Jesus has told us - we're not there yet. Or, as the Apostle Paul said ? "Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1Corinthians 13:12)

On Easter Sunday a huge stone was rolled away from a tomb and Jesus stepped into the light of day. But he didn't drive out the Romans and create a utopia as the Jews thought He would do. Neither did He gather all the believers and take them to heaven with Him. What He did was a half-way measure. He brought us the way and means to keep going until the work is finished. He opened the channel to His Father and He left His Spirit within all believers, to guide and direct them.

Some day another stone will be rolled away. Some day the believers in this world will be called to join Jesus in his second triumphal entry, not just into a city in a far-away country, but to the whole earth. Some day Jesus will step onto the ground of this planet again and half way measures will no longer be necessary. On that day the stone of our mortality will vanish like mist and we will be face to face with our creator.

Before that day arrives the stone of our sin must be removed. We cannot rise to meet Him with that stone weighing us down. The good news is that it is amazingly effortless to remove it. All we have to do is agree with God that it's there and ask Him to take it away.

He's very good at removing stones.

Then, on that day when we will be "fully known," we will be known as those who belong to Jesus, and the final stone will be rolled away.

Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada.  Her devotional book, The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others.  To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Copyright Marcia Lee Laycock, 2000, 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005