Sunday!

But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. So they went in, but they couldn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He has risen from the dead! Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?"

Easter Song

Saturday

Scripture describes in vivid detail the the pain and suffering that culminated in Jesus' death on Friday. Scripture elaborates on the excitement and wonder of his followers when they discover on Sunday that he is alive. But we can only imagine what Saturday was like - possibly the longest, most hopeless day man has ever known - because scripture is silent about that Saturday.

It would seem that the disciples did not understand on Saturday that the work of salvation had been accomplished on Friday, and they had not yet realized the hope that would come from the resurrection on Sunday. That Saturday was, in a way, a foreshadow of the time in which we live. I have heard it described as 'the already but the not yet' - the period of time between Jesus' saving accomplishment on the cross and his glorious return. And much of the world today lives in Saturday - without the knowledge or understanding of what the cross meant and without the hope that the resurrection brings.

Because we live with the knowledge of our reconciliation to God - the already - and because we live with the hope of eternal life - the not yet - we live in greatful obedience. Not to become reconciled, but because we already are. That obedience was defined by Jesus as loving God with all our heart, and loving our neighbor as our self.

Friday

By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart. Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.

When the captain of the Roman soldiers handling the executions saw what had happened, he praised God and said, "Surely this man was innocent." And when the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw all that had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he had been waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation for the Sabbath.

It's Friday...But Sunday's Coming

One of the most powerful videos I have seen is this one produced by Rob Thomas at Igniter Media. I know it's not literally Friday today, but the despair of a 'Friday' can attack at any time. Whatever the reason for a 'Friday', it can be overcome because Sunday indeed is coming.

Another Look...And a Blessing for Travelers

I think I like this look better...

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Three of our neighbors joined us this evening to pray for and offer a blessing to a fourth neighbor who, along with his teenage son, will be leaving for Uganda later this month for a 2-week mission trip. I ended the time with this blessing...

The love and affection of heaven be to you,
To guard and to cherish you.
May God shield you on every step,
May He aid you on every path,
And may He hold you safe on every slope,
On every hill and on every plain;
On earth and on sea until you are home again.

And for your family,
May he keep them safe, keep them whole,
and keep them from harm's way,
until you are home again.