Sunday is coming! If there’s one thing I especially miss from my pre-missionary life in the United States, it’s all the treasured memories of celebrating Easter. We do celebrate it here in Peru, but the relevant traditions are far more low-key than what surrounded me growing up. I have, however, managed to “import” some of my favorite ones for my children. One I’m particularly excited about this year, I learned from my mom. I found a device online for melting different shades of crayon wax, which we will use to decorate eggs. A visitor brought this tool to us from the U.S., and this will be the first time we get to use it. Good times are ahead 😊 .
Traditional customs aside, how unspeakable meaningful this commemoration is to all of us who belong to Jesus… whose eternal life was purchased by His death and resurrection! Since I don’t typically post on the weekends, I am going to share some thoughts on the Easter story today and tomorrow.
I am struck by these two verses from Luke, above. These women’s hearts had just been torn asunder, witnessing the torture and agonizing death of our Savior. Those excruciating six hours were over. Death and burial had freshly passed. Resurrection had not yet come. It was the “in-between” day, Saturday.
How many times have we been there? Something precious to us died a painful death. Maybe a hope or a dream that we had once nurtured. Or a relationship that had meant more to us than we could adequately put into words. Or a season that we had cherished… now train wrecked, shattered. These experiences wreak havoc on our souls. We know intellectually that God has promised springtime after the winter, joy in the morning, resurrection after the burial. But… it’s Saturday. All there is right now is silence, stillness, and pain.
What did these women do when they found themselves in that anguished in-between space? They rested. They took their Sabbath.
How about you? Are you there right now? Is it Saturday in your life? Dear one, I promise. Sunday is coming. Hang on. Daddy God never lies. Resurrection will happen for you.
What to do meanwhile? Rest. Take your own Sabbath. Lean into the One who loves you best. Lean into His arms. Let Him be your strength today. Let Him carry you. Let Him pour His love into your grieving soul.
Once again, He wants to whisper this to your heart of hearts:
“Weeping may tarry for the night, My precious child, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5, ESV).
**********************
What are some of your fondest Easter memories? I’d love to hear about them!
Feeding On Jesus 
I hope you share your decorated eggs!
Indeed Sunday is coming! I pray that I have the “proper” reverence & joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw you made me smile, wanting to see them. Are you on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? I shared them on there!
LikeLike
Gathering with my Aunt’s church in the dark pre-dawn hours on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and singing hymns of praise as the sun rose.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds SO special and amazing. Thank you for sharing this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful ! Take your Sabbath rest and lean in to God.❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I hope you had a beautiful Easter 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These verses are also the main reason I believe the crucifixion occurred on Wednesday. I know some have been divisive and hateful who have held this view, but Dr. W. Graham Scroggie explores this option in his classic, “Guide to the Gospels.”
If they removed the body hastily to get it buried before the Passover Sabbath (a special Sabbath and not the weekly one) then they would have had to go and buy the spices and ointments (things not normally in the pantry) and prepare them, but NOT on the day in which He was buried nor the day after which was now the holiday Sabbath.
So when the shops opened Friday morning, they went to buy them, home to prepare them, and then they had to quit by Friday evening as the weekly Sabbath began at 6pm.
Thus, when it was after 6pm Saturday, the Sabbath was over, and they went early while it was yet dark to the tomb.
This fulfills what Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three DAYS and three NIGHTS in the heart of the earth.”
If you allow a Friday crucifixion, these verses in Luke do not make sense.
But the main issue is NOT the day of His crucifixion, but the FACT of it, and the fact of His resurrection, whenever each occurred. However, for neurotic detailists like me 😏, this helped solve a mystery of misinterpretation by the Roman Catholic church.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How fascinating! In my 46 years I had never heard this idea before. I’m so glad you shared it, C.A. Thank you! Hope your Easter was absolutely beautiful 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person