"This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath."
Mark 15:42
Mark 15:42
This preparation day was not only the day before the Sabbath but the day before Passover. They were preparing for 7 days of celebrating and remembering what God had done for them by sparing the lives of their ancestors in Egypt. The angel of death swept through Egypt passing by the homes whose doorposts were marked with blood, killing on the youngest Egyptian boys. Oh, it was a day of preparation alright.
In preparation for the Passover it was custom to remove all yeast from the home and prepare for their first yeast-free meal for seven days. (Thus Passover was also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread.) All bitter herbs and wine were also removed. A lamb was to be taken to the Temple to be slaughtered. Oh, it was a day of preparation alright.
The Lamb had already been taken to the Temple. He had already been slaughtered. The celebration of the passing over of their death had been set in motion, the blood had been shed. The death of this Lamb would allow all who believed in the name of Jesus to pass over from physical death to eternal life. Oh, yes it was a day of preparation alright-like none before.
This Lamb was crucified and buried but rose again! He prepared the way for us on this preparation day. He is alive!
Labels: alive, preparation
6 Comments:
Dear Ladies,
After yesterday's tearful readings, today is glorious! And I don't want to take away from the joy of our risen Lord!
But my nuggets for today span the event. There are three; Joseph of Arimathea and the women; the pharisees (again); and Peter.
1) Joseph of Arimathea was waiting for the Kingdom of God. By his actions, he helped to hasten the Kingdom of God as he fulfilled the Scripture of assigning a grave with the rich in His death (Isaiah 53:9). He gave what the disciples were afraid to and could not give; a resting place for the Son of God. The women noted where the tomb was so they could come back and anoint the body. These quiet acts of mercy and grace speak as loudly as the bold and brave acts of the more obvious disciples, like Peter.
2) The Pharisees - It was the PASSOVER SABBATH, right? Why were they in front of Pilot again? Were they not supposed to be leading their people in devotion and prayer? Shouldn't they have been before God making atonement?! Why were they compounding their sin? Panic drives people to desperate acts. They did NOT want the resurrection to be known! So, in a twist of logic, I would say they were the first confessors of the resurrection, since it was their belief that it would happen that drove them to this act!
3) Peter - he denied Christ and wept bitter tears. Yet, here he is back among the others. He is still accepted by them, he is still in a leadership position, he is restored. When he hears the news from the women, he believes and runs to the tomb. He doesn't stop at the entrance, but goes all the way in. He must have rejoiced, I imagine even loudly in that place! His shouts of gladness must have echoed off the walls! What hope! What relief! What joy! His faith solidified; he could the fulfill God's purpose for him; "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" Matt. 16:18!
Oh how glorious!
Karen, Basel
Today we can say, hallelujah! He's Alive (thanks for the song, Wendy!)
My heart goes out to those precious women. They were followers of Jesus. They watched with their own eyes as their beloved Lord was recklessly laid in the rock tomb, "the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed."
That day was the preparation and the women returned home to prepare spices; they rested on the Sabbath. Very early in the morning, on their way to the tomb, the women were greatly concerned about who shall roll away the stone from the door of the tomb. Soon, they discovered that their worry had already been resolved by an angel. Excitedly, they dashed to the disciples to relate their thrilling discovery!
These women that had followed Jesus had no thought of deserting their Lord in death, even though the hostile mob had crucified Him. Oh, our love for our Lord and His Word should allow us to conquer any temptation to be intimidated by unbelievers. Neither the women, nor the apostles, were expecting such a glorious experience on that resurrection morning. GOD ALWAYS HAS BETTER THINGS IN STORE FOR US THAN WE THINK POSSIBLE! :) He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory," (Eph. 3:20).
Oh, may I keep these chapters this week close to my heart. May I never take for granted all that Jesus did for me. May I carry my cross and not complain! He is alive in me. That is something to sing praises about! He is alive!
Love, prayers, and hugs coming your way on this glorious Thursday! Seeking Him all day long. So thankful this morning for all that He did for me.
Lori - AZ
Your right girls, there is so much here! In the words of Wendy, "It was a day of preparation alright."
As Jesus was preparing the way for a new covenanent, the Pharisees were forgetting their roles in making atonement before God and trying to hide the truth. I love how Karen put it..."Panic drives people to desperate acts."
Lori, I love how you mention the women. They were not intimidated...they stood by his side through the crucifixion, burial, and resurection. Lori, I like how you summed it up,"our love for our Lord and His Word should allow us to conquer any temptation to be intimidated by unbelievers. "
The huge truths we can gleam are awesome. I want to keep these truths at the front of my mind and heart. This journey is great!
Yesterday, the judge allowed our neighbor out on bail. He was instructed to stay on his farm and to leave his wife and our family alone. The preliminary trial is set for next week. We are thankful for your prayers and know that God's plan is for his salvation. Jesus died for him, too.
I love the fellowship of this group. I pray God will continue to bless each of you.
nancy
Wendy, Karen, Lori and Nancy, you have mined so many treasures from His Word this morning. Thank you for your faithfulness - you are such a blessing to me.
It was such a joyous reading this morning. The verse that drew my attention was: "Early on Sunday, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found the stone had been rolled away from the entrance." John 20:1
The stone was rolled away.
Lord, there are places in my life where a stone needs to roll. Held captive and imprisoned by a stone too big and too heavy and I don't have the strength to remove it on my own.
Where there is fear, roll away the stone to bring freedom. Where I am bound by grave clothes of despair, unwrap Your joy. Where wounds still scar, bring healing. Where insecurity shackles, unlock confidence. Where desire has died, resurrect hope. Where pride controls, cover me with humility.
Thank You Lord that You still move stones,
Joy
The gospel accounts may differ on certain details, but the liberating message stays the same:
He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
I love that we are reading the accounts of the resurrection of our Savior so close to advent...we are being prepared to celebrate again the wonders of his mighty love.
Preparation. Such a powerful word and concept.
We are always in a state of preparation, aren't we? Even as some things we have prepared (or been prepared for) come to fruition, others are just beginning.
To use Wendy's phrase, it just gives me Holy Goosebumps!
I want to share this morning that at my class last night (Journey through John) we began by sharing a significant journey we have taken, and I talked about our journey through the word this year. I spoke again of my gratitude and awe about the experience with the miracle of our bloggy cyber commmunity - the fellowship, teaching, prayer and growth which has been born from all of us committing to taking the first step to read through the Bible in one year.
It still amazes me how much more it has become.
Indeed, my friends, he is risen, and he is alive!
love & prayers from AK.
Liz
Something caught my attention today that never has before. I always thought Joseph of Arimathea sounded like a brave man - after all, he went up to the religious leaders after Jesus died to ask for his body, and then gave Him his own burial space. This time I noticed the words in parentheses - "for he was a secret follower of Jesus." I'm glad that Joseph finally stood up for his faith, but it took him a long time to do it. Why did he wait? Did he consider it 'safe' now that Jesus was 'dead?' Whatever the reason, we know that God forgave him for denying him - and yet isn't it a good example for us today, especially in light of the changing times of our country? The hate crimes bill that recently became law makes an exclusive faith, like ours, illegal whenever we speak out that Jesus is the ONLY way. People are upset that Jesus was so 'intolerant' as to claim that there are actions and lifestyles that are wrong and sinful. I have already begun to hear on the news about some Christians who have been sanctioned because of these beliefs. Isn't this our time to learn from Peter and Joseph and stand up NOW for our Lord?
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