It’s the sound that gets me every year.
The loud SLAM! made to symbolize the closing of the tomb at
the end of the Good Friday worship service.
Although I know to expect it, it makes me jump.
And then it makes me cry. Every. Year.
I know the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection follows…but I
still feel sorrow.
I imagine how the disciples and the women who watched Jesus
die on the cross must have felt—that sense of loss and desperate finality.
I’ve been thinking about those moments the tomb was sealed.
Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching. Matthew 27:59-61 NLT
Jesus—carefully and lovingly cared for and
laid to rest. Instead of a loud SLAM…the scraping sound of rock against
rock—sealing the tomb…the physical exertion and grief of moving the “great
stone”…saying goodbye forever.
Jesus’ death and resurrection was
prophesied, so I suppose they should have known it wasn’t final. And yet, grief
can be too much for our human minds and emotions, can’t it?
As a believer, I know God brings about life
through death. And that Truth brings comfort and strength in my darkest
moments. I wonder how much harder it is for someone who does not know Christ.
The resurrection could not come without
Jesus first going to the cross and then the grave.
“It
is finished.” Jesus declared.
And because Jesus conquered death, we have
life.
Thank You, Lord
Jesus! May we never forget the sacrifice You paid for our sins. Even while we
are still sinners, You never stop pursuing us. May those who have yet to know
You find You pursuing them…and come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Amen.
In Christ,
Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Grace & Truth, Faith Filled Friday, Faith 'N Friends, The Weekend Brew, Sunday Stillness
Amen! Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I'm visiting from the "Weekend Brew" today. Happy Easter. : )
ReplyDeleteLove your thoughts today! Perfect to read on Easter! The stark emptiness and despair that must have been felt right after Jesus died had to be consuming but imagine the immense joy as they discovered Jesus had risen. Happy Easter and thank you for linking up to The Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteOh Amen, friend. YES! Good Friday was a bit weird for me this year as we were in hotels and airports-- I missed the connection at our church body but could still hear the SLAM of the stone. Thanks for your creative view on this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on the grave here, an aspect of the weekend that many overlook. Thanks also for linking it up with us at Grace & Truth!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful truth, Laura, and something we need to carry in our hearts beyond Easter 2018!
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