I had many encouraging responses to Friday with Fred last week. But some were concerned for me that I was in dire straits and might actually be dying. Be assured I am in good health…as far as I know.
However, it is good to focus on death. Solomon observes that the house of mourning offers something valuable that the house of feasting cannot (Ecclesiastes 7:2).
There is also that famous Psalm of Moses, 90:12 “Teach us to number our days that we might present to you a heart of wisdom.” This is wisdom and good advice.
We live in a culture that is terrified of death. And of course, we celebrated Good Friday last Friday, reminding us of a most gruesome death. But we Christians know that that is not the end of the story, for there is Easter Sunday and the victory of life that should encourage our hearts.
The vulgarity of the cross and the victory of the resurrection, that is the message of hope. Resurrection hope is not the denial of death. It is the defeat of death. That is why Jesus said from the cross, “It is finished,” and then He willingly gave up His life.
What Was Finished? -The crushing of the head of the serpent. Genesis 3 -The fulfillment of the Law. Leviticus 16; John 1:19 -The payment for sin. Isaiah. 53:5,11-12 -The redemption and reconciliation of man. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Easter has nothing to do with Easter bunnies, chocolate Easter eggs or nice new dresses and hats you wear at the EASTER PARADE walking down Fifth Ave in New York. Easter solves the existential and eternal problem of mankind. And that is why Easter weekend must be seen in its entirety, as Roger Lundin opines:
“The Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday stretches between the certainty of sorrow and the hope of deliverance, between the full exposure of human cruelty and the full disclosure of God’s glory. And so, in the end, we live not in the darkened shadow of Good Friday but on ground that has been illuminated by the dawn of Easter Sunday.”
This is not a post Easter message. Every morning is Easter morning from now on! “Jesus planted the only durable rumor of hope amid widespread despair and doubt in a hopeless world.” ~John Walvoord~
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us, Fred | 