Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week 15 Archives
Year 5; Day 100 Anchored by Love
We finished up our Beth Moore Bible study "Breaking Free". It was quite an experience...and quite a church we sang the chorus "Faithful One" (Brian Doerksen). There was a line that said, "All through the storm, Your love is the anchor..." I have sung that line many times but this is the first time since the Bible study was completed. It is not just a line in a chorus or words up on a screen. It is my testimony. My anchor is not my church or my family or faith in myself. My anchor is "knowing", despite my "feelings", that my God IS love and that that love is unfailing towards me. That is the anchor that holds me and that can hold each of us in whatever storm comes our way. Anchors come in different sizes. The wrong anchor on a ship could be just as detrimental as the storm itself. But the anchor of God's love is always perfect for the storm. Perfect. Unfailing. Trustworthy. Worthy. I know storms---disappointments, pain, sorrow, hurts, discouragements---are a part of life. Faith doesn't eliminate them. But God's unfailing love gives us a means to hold steady and then navigates through whatever comes our way. Whatever as in no matter what, He already knew and already has a plan...a plan that will end up being good and for our good...for my good. It cannot be any other way because of His love...His unfailing love. That is the heart, the center, the core of God. Unfailing love. Today is Monday. "...I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8)waste of time if it hasn't changed anything. If my thoughts, my understanding, my behaviour, my faith haven't changed and deepened, what was the point? But I know it has made a difference. I now recognize some things that held me back, things that kept me in bondage and from being and receiving what God has for me. I also realize and believe more than ever that I am loved with an unfailing love. Those two words, "unfailing love", have become more meaningful, more precious, and more real to me. Yesterday in
Yesterday in church we sang the chorus "Faithful One" (Brian Doerksen). There was a line that said, "All through the storm, Your love is the anchor..." I have sung that line many times but this is the first time since the Bible study was completed. It is not just a line in a chorus or words up on a screen. It is my testimony. My anchor is not my church or my family or faith in myself. My anchor is "knowing", despite my "feelings", that my God IS love and that that love is unfailing towards me. That is the anchor that holds me and that can hold each of us in whatever storm comes our way. Anchors come in different sizes. The wrong anchor on a ship could be just as detrimental as the storm itself. But the anchor of God's love is always perfect for the storm. Perfect. Unfailing. Trustworthy. Worthy. I know storms---disappointments, pain, sorrow, hurts, discouragements---are a part of life. Faith doesn't eliminate them. But God's unfailing love gives us a means to hold steady and then navigates through whatever comes our way. Whatever as in no matter what, He already knew and already has a plan...a plan that will end up being good and for our good...for my good. It cannot be any other way because of His love...His unfailing love. That is the heart, the center, the core of God. Unfailing love. Today is Monday. "...I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8)
We finished up our Beth Moore Bible study "Breaking Free". It was quite an experience...and quite a church we sang the chorus "Faithful One" (Brian Doerksen). There was a line that said, "All through the storm, Your love is the anchor..." I have sung that line many times but this is the first time since the Bible study was completed. It is not just a line in a chorus or words up on a screen. It is my testimony. My anchor is not my church or my family or faith in myself. My anchor is "knowing", despite my "feelings", that my God IS love and that that love is unfailing towards me. That is the anchor that holds me and that can hold each of us in whatever storm comes our way. Anchors come in different sizes. The wrong anchor on a ship could be just as detrimental as the storm itself. But the anchor of God's love is always perfect for the storm. Perfect. Unfailing. Trustworthy. Worthy. I know storms---disappointments, pain, sorrow, hurts, discouragements---are a part of life. Faith doesn't eliminate them. But God's unfailing love gives us a means to hold steady and then navigates through whatever comes our way. Whatever as in no matter what, He already knew and already has a plan...a plan that will end up being good and for our good...for my good. It cannot be any other way because of His love...His unfailing love. That is the heart, the center, the core of God. Unfailing love. Today is Monday. "...I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8)waste of time if it hasn't changed anything. If my thoughts, my understanding, my behaviour, my faith haven't changed and deepened, what was the point? But I know it has made a difference. I now recognize some things that held me back, things that kept me in bondage and from being and receiving what God has for me. I also realize and believe more than ever that I am loved with an unfailing love. Those two words, "unfailing love", have become more meaningful, more precious, and more real to me. Yesterday in
Yesterday in church we sang the chorus "Faithful One" (Brian Doerksen). There was a line that said, "All through the storm, Your love is the anchor..." I have sung that line many times but this is the first time since the Bible study was completed. It is not just a line in a chorus or words up on a screen. It is my testimony. My anchor is not my church or my family or faith in myself. My anchor is "knowing", despite my "feelings", that my God IS love and that that love is unfailing towards me. That is the anchor that holds me and that can hold each of us in whatever storm comes our way. Anchors come in different sizes. The wrong anchor on a ship could be just as detrimental as the storm itself. But the anchor of God's love is always perfect for the storm. Perfect. Unfailing. Trustworthy. Worthy. I know storms---disappointments, pain, sorrow, hurts, discouragements---are a part of life. Faith doesn't eliminate them. But God's unfailing love gives us a means to hold steady and then navigates through whatever comes our way. Whatever as in no matter what, He already knew and already has a plan...a plan that will end up being good and for our good...for my good. It cannot be any other way because of His love...His unfailing love. That is the heart, the center, the core of God. Unfailing love. Today is Monday. "...I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8)
Year 5; Day 101 Remember
It is too bad forgetting seems to be easier than remembering. When Jesus knew His time on Earth was drawing to a close, He prepared His disciples...or He tried. The Gospel of Matthew records three times where Jesus specifically spoke to the disciples about His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. "Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "...the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death....to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life." (Matthew 20:17-19) The first time Christ told them about these events, Peter rebuked Him and said it would never happen. (16:21-23) The second time He told them, they were filled with grief. (17:22-23) The third time was followed by a fuss as to who would sit on His right and His left in the kingdom. Each time Jesus was very specific as to the order of events and He always told them He would rise on the third day. But they did not remember. Why, I wonder? Could they not take it in that Jesus was actually going to die? Could they not imagine this as part of God's plan? Were they still hoping to be part of an overthrow of the Romans with Jesus as their general and king? Were they too afraid to contemplate Christ's death because then maybe they would have to die too? Was death and resurrection just too out there for them? Not part of their plan? Even though the events unfolded just as Jesus said, it didn't seem to help. They didn't remember. They fled when He was arrested, kept their distance through the crucifixion, and weren't waiting at the tomb on the third day. Everything else Jesus said had happened, why didn't they remember the last part? Jesus remembered them. "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:19) Fear drove the disciples to hide behind a locked door. Love caused Jesus to walk right through it. No rebuke. No criticism. No chastisement. Just a greeting of peace. Today is Tuesday. I am grateful that even when I forget, He does not. Unfailing love.
It is too bad forgetting seems to be easier than remembering. When Jesus knew His time on Earth was drawing to a close, He prepared His disciples...or He tried. The Gospel of Matthew records three times where Jesus specifically spoke to the disciples about His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. "Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "...the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death....to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life." (Matthew 20:17-19) The first time Christ told them about these events, Peter rebuked Him and said it would never happen. (16:21-23) The second time He told them, they were filled with grief. (17:22-23) The third time was followed by a fuss as to who would sit on His right and His left in the kingdom. Each time Jesus was very specific as to the order of events and He always told them He would rise on the third day. But they did not remember. Why, I wonder? Could they not take it in that Jesus was actually going to die? Could they not imagine this as part of God's plan? Were they still hoping to be part of an overthrow of the Romans with Jesus as their general and king? Were they too afraid to contemplate Christ's death because then maybe they would have to die too? Was death and resurrection just too out there for them? Not part of their plan? Even though the events unfolded just as Jesus said, it didn't seem to help. They didn't remember. They fled when He was arrested, kept their distance through the crucifixion, and weren't waiting at the tomb on the third day. Everything else Jesus said had happened, why didn't they remember the last part? Jesus remembered them. "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:19) Fear drove the disciples to hide behind a locked door. Love caused Jesus to walk right through it. No rebuke. No criticism. No chastisement. Just a greeting of peace. Today is Tuesday. I am grateful that even when I forget, He does not. Unfailing love.
Year 5; Day 102 The Long View
I have had a disappointment. I looked forward to something and through none of my doing (or anyone directly involved), plans got changed. None of us had any control over the circumstances. I am hoping things will work out for down the road but I don't know any details. Yesterday I read a devotional by George O. Wood called "The Long View" on Psalm 105 (A Psalm in Your Heart; Vol. 2). When something disappointing or unexpected happens in the present, it is hard to take the long view...mainly because we don't have one. We only have the now. We often don't see any purpose or plan or reason. But God always has the long view...always. God set a rescue plan for Joseph and his family into motion long before any of them saw or understood the need. And it didn't look like a rescue plan. Weird dreams, jealous brothers, and slavery in a foreign land. False accusations, jail time, and more weird dreams but this time with an interpretation. An audience with Pharaoh and then being elevated from jail to second in power in Egypt in one step. Joseph ruled with wisdom and prepared for a future that God allowed him to glimpse. Joseph then saw his early dreams fulfilled as his own brothers unknowingly bowed down to him in a request for food. Joseph was now in a position to save his whole family from famine. Only then did he understand that God had a long view. That the previous years were not random or chance or coincidence. But they were a carefully orchestrated unfolding of events directed by God and Joseph's faith and obedience and trust allowed them to happen as God planned. Joseph couldn't see the long view until he could look back. The passage of time allowed him to see how the seemingly unrelated and purposeless happenings were anything but. As humans our long view can only be a backwards one. But God's long view is forward. He knows the future. And so he can put a plan in place long before we even see a need. That is what He did for us through Christ. "He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake." (1 Peter 1:20) "...by God's set purpose and foreknowledge..." (Acts 2:23) Since before creation God had a plan of redemption and salvation. He had the long view and set things in place to address what would happen all along the way. He has a long view for us. And while I am disappointed I also feel a peace because I know Who is in control. Today is Wednesday. I expect the long view to be better than anything I had planned.
I have had a disappointment. I looked forward to something and through none of my doing (or anyone directly involved), plans got changed. None of us had any control over the circumstances. I am hoping things will work out for down the road but I don't know any details. Yesterday I read a devotional by George O. Wood called "The Long View" on Psalm 105 (A Psalm in Your Heart; Vol. 2). When something disappointing or unexpected happens in the present, it is hard to take the long view...mainly because we don't have one. We only have the now. We often don't see any purpose or plan or reason. But God always has the long view...always. God set a rescue plan for Joseph and his family into motion long before any of them saw or understood the need. And it didn't look like a rescue plan. Weird dreams, jealous brothers, and slavery in a foreign land. False accusations, jail time, and more weird dreams but this time with an interpretation. An audience with Pharaoh and then being elevated from jail to second in power in Egypt in one step. Joseph ruled with wisdom and prepared for a future that God allowed him to glimpse. Joseph then saw his early dreams fulfilled as his own brothers unknowingly bowed down to him in a request for food. Joseph was now in a position to save his whole family from famine. Only then did he understand that God had a long view. That the previous years were not random or chance or coincidence. But they were a carefully orchestrated unfolding of events directed by God and Joseph's faith and obedience and trust allowed them to happen as God planned. Joseph couldn't see the long view until he could look back. The passage of time allowed him to see how the seemingly unrelated and purposeless happenings were anything but. As humans our long view can only be a backwards one. But God's long view is forward. He knows the future. And so he can put a plan in place long before we even see a need. That is what He did for us through Christ. "He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake." (1 Peter 1:20) "...by God's set purpose and foreknowledge..." (Acts 2:23) Since before creation God had a plan of redemption and salvation. He had the long view and set things in place to address what would happen all along the way. He has a long view for us. And while I am disappointed I also feel a peace because I know Who is in control. Today is Wednesday. I expect the long view to be better than anything I had planned.
Year 5; Day 103 The Truth
I have been thinking a lot about the disciples as Easter draws near. They heard the truth from Jesus everyday that they were with Him. After three years they should have known that Jesus never used unnecessary words. He never exaggerated, added to, or took away from the truth. Yet when He said He would rise on the third day, they somehow missed the truth of that statement. Christ told them point blank but it didn't seem to register. I wonder if they thought He was still talking in parables? Or did they stop listening after they heard "...mocked and flogged and crucified..." (Matthew 20:19)? Even though the disciples heard the truth, it either didn't register, they didn't really believe, or they forgot. The Pharisees sent some of their disciples to try and trap Jesus in His words. "Teacher,...we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are." (Matthew 22:16) And then they asked His opinion about paying taxes. They spoke the truth about Christ but chose not to believe it. They did not allow the truth to influence them in their thinking. It kind of boggles the mind when you think about it. You would think truth is truth and we would have to believe it (or want to believe it) because it is the truth...but we don't. We ignore it, forget it, twist it, and sometimes just don't believe it. But our reaction, interpretation, and mishandling of the truth doesn't change it. Jesus said He would be arrested, crucified, and resurrected. He was. But that is not the end. He is coming again. "...I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." ( John 14:3) That is what He said. That is what He will do. Today is Thursday. What will we do with the Truth?
I have been thinking a lot about the disciples as Easter draws near. They heard the truth from Jesus everyday that they were with Him. After three years they should have known that Jesus never used unnecessary words. He never exaggerated, added to, or took away from the truth. Yet when He said He would rise on the third day, they somehow missed the truth of that statement. Christ told them point blank but it didn't seem to register. I wonder if they thought He was still talking in parables? Or did they stop listening after they heard "...mocked and flogged and crucified..." (Matthew 20:19)? Even though the disciples heard the truth, it either didn't register, they didn't really believe, or they forgot. The Pharisees sent some of their disciples to try and trap Jesus in His words. "Teacher,...we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are." (Matthew 22:16) And then they asked His opinion about paying taxes. They spoke the truth about Christ but chose not to believe it. They did not allow the truth to influence them in their thinking. It kind of boggles the mind when you think about it. You would think truth is truth and we would have to believe it (or want to believe it) because it is the truth...but we don't. We ignore it, forget it, twist it, and sometimes just don't believe it. But our reaction, interpretation, and mishandling of the truth doesn't change it. Jesus said He would be arrested, crucified, and resurrected. He was. But that is not the end. He is coming again. "...I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." ( John 14:3) That is what He said. That is what He will do. Today is Thursday. What will we do with the Truth?
Year 5; Day 104 Words
Words can be so easily spoken, can't they? They just kind of roll off the tongue, especially the ones backed by good intentions and sincerity. And then the time comes around to do it and, well, there is a disconnect between what you said and what you actually do. Jesus was very consistent with the words He spoke concerning His crucifixion. He said He would be arrested, mocked, flogged, crucified, and resurrected. He told His disciples that it had to be that way to fulfill prophecy and carry out God's plan. Jesus also told them that they would all desert Him. Peter spoke right up and boldly declared, "...Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." (Matthew 26:33) Never? He'll stand alone, if needs be? Peter seemed pretty sure of himself. After Jesus informed Peter that he would disown Him three times before the rooster crowed, Peter came back with even more determined words, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. And all the other disciples said the same." (verse 35) Quite the declaration of loyalty. Peter even fired up the others to join in with the same verbal commitment. They would follow Jesus anywhere...even if it meant death. And I am sure they meant it at that moment. But when the crowd came with soldiers and swords to arrest Jesus, Peter and the rest fled. When accused of being a follower of Christ, Peter denied it, and denied it, and denied it...three times like Jesus said. Except for John, none of the disciples are mentioned at the crucifixion. It wasn't any of the twelve who took responsibility for His burial. And despite their brave words before Jesus died, after His death they all hid in a room behind a locked door in fear and discouragement. And what about Jesus? What did He say and do when His words became a reality? Did He give a defense? Did He blame God? Did He give a rant of dire consequences to His accusers? "When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer...But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge..." (Matthew 27:12,14) Christ's silence spoke for Him. His silence told of His obedience to His Father's will, to His submission to fulfilling prophecy, and to His love for a lost humanity. Christ allowed His actions to declare, "I love you so much that I will stand in the gap between a holy God and a sinful world." And that is what He did. Today is Good Friday. May our actions speak as clearly and as loudly as our words when it comes to following Christ.
Words can be so easily spoken, can't they? They just kind of roll off the tongue, especially the ones backed by good intentions and sincerity. And then the time comes around to do it and, well, there is a disconnect between what you said and what you actually do. Jesus was very consistent with the words He spoke concerning His crucifixion. He said He would be arrested, mocked, flogged, crucified, and resurrected. He told His disciples that it had to be that way to fulfill prophecy and carry out God's plan. Jesus also told them that they would all desert Him. Peter spoke right up and boldly declared, "...Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." (Matthew 26:33) Never? He'll stand alone, if needs be? Peter seemed pretty sure of himself. After Jesus informed Peter that he would disown Him three times before the rooster crowed, Peter came back with even more determined words, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. And all the other disciples said the same." (verse 35) Quite the declaration of loyalty. Peter even fired up the others to join in with the same verbal commitment. They would follow Jesus anywhere...even if it meant death. And I am sure they meant it at that moment. But when the crowd came with soldiers and swords to arrest Jesus, Peter and the rest fled. When accused of being a follower of Christ, Peter denied it, and denied it, and denied it...three times like Jesus said. Except for John, none of the disciples are mentioned at the crucifixion. It wasn't any of the twelve who took responsibility for His burial. And despite their brave words before Jesus died, after His death they all hid in a room behind a locked door in fear and discouragement. And what about Jesus? What did He say and do when His words became a reality? Did He give a defense? Did He blame God? Did He give a rant of dire consequences to His accusers? "When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer...But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge..." (Matthew 27:12,14) Christ's silence spoke for Him. His silence told of His obedience to His Father's will, to His submission to fulfilling prophecy, and to His love for a lost humanity. Christ allowed His actions to declare, "I love you so much that I will stand in the gap between a holy God and a sinful world." And that is what He did. Today is Good Friday. May our actions speak as clearly and as loudly as our words when it comes to following Christ.
Year 5; Day 105 What Will You Do?
We had a Good Friday service at our church yesterday. As the Scripture was read, I felt a "nudge" at one of the verses. Jesus had been arrested and taken to Pilate by the Jewish religious leaders. After listening to their arguments and accusations, Pilate realized the motivation for their coming was not a crime having been committed, but envy. When the crowd was asked who they would like released in a show of goodwill, Jesus or a known criminal named Barabbas, they cried out for Barabbas. Pilate then asked the question, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?"... (Matthew 27:32). Good question. Pilate answered by giving the mob what they wanted...a crucified Jesus. Judas allowed himself to get sidetracked with greed and decided to betray Jesus. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. It was a premeditated act. Judas went to the chief priests and asked them, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?...From then on Judas watched for the opportunity to hand him over." (26:15,16). Judas made a decision to turn on Christ and when the consequences seemed too overwhelming, he hung himself. What did the disciples do with Jesus? They fled and hid in fear. Peter denied Him three times and then wept bitterly. The soldiers gambled for His robe. The religious leaders chose to mock and insult Jesus as He hung on the cross. Many of His followers chose to watch from a distance. Two thieves that hung with Jesus each made their decision...one accepted...one rejected. Pilate asked a universal question that is as relevant today as it was back then. What will we do with Jesus? We can try to ignore the question...but not forever. We can mock Him, try to hide from Him, openly fight against Him, watch from a distance, reject Him, accept Him, follow Him, serve Him. We all have to answer the question. Today is Saturday. What will you do with Jesus who is the Christ?
We had a Good Friday service at our church yesterday. As the Scripture was read, I felt a "nudge" at one of the verses. Jesus had been arrested and taken to Pilate by the Jewish religious leaders. After listening to their arguments and accusations, Pilate realized the motivation for their coming was not a crime having been committed, but envy. When the crowd was asked who they would like released in a show of goodwill, Jesus or a known criminal named Barabbas, they cried out for Barabbas. Pilate then asked the question, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?"... (Matthew 27:32). Good question. Pilate answered by giving the mob what they wanted...a crucified Jesus. Judas allowed himself to get sidetracked with greed and decided to betray Jesus. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. It was a premeditated act. Judas went to the chief priests and asked them, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?...From then on Judas watched for the opportunity to hand him over." (26:15,16). Judas made a decision to turn on Christ and when the consequences seemed too overwhelming, he hung himself. What did the disciples do with Jesus? They fled and hid in fear. Peter denied Him three times and then wept bitterly. The soldiers gambled for His robe. The religious leaders chose to mock and insult Jesus as He hung on the cross. Many of His followers chose to watch from a distance. Two thieves that hung with Jesus each made their decision...one accepted...one rejected. Pilate asked a universal question that is as relevant today as it was back then. What will we do with Jesus? We can try to ignore the question...but not forever. We can mock Him, try to hide from Him, openly fight against Him, watch from a distance, reject Him, accept Him, follow Him, serve Him. We all have to answer the question. Today is Saturday. What will you do with Jesus who is the Christ?
Year 5; Day 106 He is Risen!
In the Easter story, very little is said about Saturday. It was the Jewish Sabbath...a day of rest. I doubt there was much inner rest for some. The chief priests and the Pharisees remembered what Jesus said about rising on the third day. Funny, they remembered even though they didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah, and the ones who believed He was, didn't remember. Anyway, they asked Pilate to put guards at the tomb so the disciples wouldn't steal the body and claim He arose. Saturday found the religious leaders trying to cover their bases. The guards probably twiddled their thumbs outside the tomb that day. Some of the women followers were simply waiting for the Sabbath to be over so they could bring spices to His body and do a better job of burial preparations. And the disciples. Where were they? Were they anticipating the third day? Were they making plans to watch the tomb, maybe at a distance, like they probably did at the crucifixion? It doesn't seem so. I am thinking Peter was suffering a lot of mental anguish on that Saturday. He may not have remembered what Jesus said about rising, but I am sure he remembered what he (Peter) said. "I won't leave you. I'll follow you even if I die. I won't deny you." I doubt the bitter tears Peter shed on Friday were all cried out by Saturday. It must have been a horrible day of grief and sorrow and guilt and regret. Nobody was waiting with anticipation. Nobody was waiting with hope. Nobody was waiting with any kind of expectation. Thankfully, that changed nothing. The women came to the tomb wondering how they would roll the stone away to the entrance. What they saw were soldiers in a dead faint, the stone rolled away, and an angel who spoke such words of victory and hope and comfort. "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." (Matthew 28:6). Even as I write this, I feel the power and emotion of those words. "He is not here;" He wasn't stolen. His body wasn't moved. "he has risen, just as he said." Remember? He told you he would die. But He also said he would rise on the third day. And He did. His words are true. He is Truth. "Come and see the place where he lay." Look for yourself. See with your own eyes. "...He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you." (verse 7) Today is Easter Sunday. He is risen. Just like He said. He is risen!
In the Easter story, very little is said about Saturday. It was the Jewish Sabbath...a day of rest. I doubt there was much inner rest for some. The chief priests and the Pharisees remembered what Jesus said about rising on the third day. Funny, they remembered even though they didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah, and the ones who believed He was, didn't remember. Anyway, they asked Pilate to put guards at the tomb so the disciples wouldn't steal the body and claim He arose. Saturday found the religious leaders trying to cover their bases. The guards probably twiddled their thumbs outside the tomb that day. Some of the women followers were simply waiting for the Sabbath to be over so they could bring spices to His body and do a better job of burial preparations. And the disciples. Where were they? Were they anticipating the third day? Were they making plans to watch the tomb, maybe at a distance, like they probably did at the crucifixion? It doesn't seem so. I am thinking Peter was suffering a lot of mental anguish on that Saturday. He may not have remembered what Jesus said about rising, but I am sure he remembered what he (Peter) said. "I won't leave you. I'll follow you even if I die. I won't deny you." I doubt the bitter tears Peter shed on Friday were all cried out by Saturday. It must have been a horrible day of grief and sorrow and guilt and regret. Nobody was waiting with anticipation. Nobody was waiting with hope. Nobody was waiting with any kind of expectation. Thankfully, that changed nothing. The women came to the tomb wondering how they would roll the stone away to the entrance. What they saw were soldiers in a dead faint, the stone rolled away, and an angel who spoke such words of victory and hope and comfort. "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." (Matthew 28:6). Even as I write this, I feel the power and emotion of those words. "He is not here;" He wasn't stolen. His body wasn't moved. "he has risen, just as he said." Remember? He told you he would die. But He also said he would rise on the third day. And He did. His words are true. He is Truth. "Come and see the place where he lay." Look for yourself. See with your own eyes. "...He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you." (verse 7) Today is Easter Sunday. He is risen. Just like He said. He is risen!
