Waiting…

   Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
(John 19:41-42)

Saturday, Holy Week

Almighty and eternal God, you created all things in wonderful beauty and order.  Help us now to perceive how still more wonderful is the new creation by which in the fullness of time you redeemed your people through the sacrifice of our passover, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen

Dear friends,

Good Friday is the day the Lord gloriously conquered the darkness even though it looked as if His glory was being extinguished.  That was the thought that struck me after our Good Friday service last night.  I was traveling home, and as I was rounding the bend on High Drive, the heavens suddenly declared the glory of God.  I had to pull over and take a picture (see above).  It was so glorious, so spectacular, so beautiful.  And it was quickly fading away.

It was so fitting for Good Friday.  The glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ faded to black at the cross.

Then came waiting.  And praying. And more waiting.

It’s hard to wait.  We have been in a holding pattern in our world because of this virus.  Our social structures and businesses are hurting.  People are feeling the crush of financial stress.  Hospitals are overwhelmed.  And we continue to wait for this viral curve to flatten and fade away into the background.  It feels like we have been in this situation forever, and yet it has only been weeks.

But wait for it…

A new day is coming!

Praying for you,
Pastor Langdon Reinke

P.S.   Hope you and your family are healthy and safe.  We are in this together.  We have help available if there are needs.  Please let me know.

Have something to share?

Do you have a thought, a devotion, a scripture, or prayer to share? Send it to me at pastor@beautifulsaviorspokane.org.  I look forward to sharing what God puts on your heart.

Ken Fay shared the following message from a sermon preached by S.M. Lockridge:

It’s Friday
Jesus is praying
Peter’s a sleeping
Judas is betraying
But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
Pilate’s struggling
The council is conspiring
The crowd is vilifying
They don’t even know
That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The disciples are running
Like sheep without a shepherd
Mary’s crying
Peter is denying
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s a comin’

It’s Friday
The Romans beat my Jesus
They robe him in scarlet
They crown him with thorns
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
See Jesus walking to Calvary
His blood dripping
His body stumbling
And his spirit’s burdened
But you see, it’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The world’s winning
People are sinning
And evil’s grinning

It’s Friday
The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands
To the cross
They nail my Savior’s feet
To the cross
And then they raise him up
Next to criminals

It’s Friday
But let me tell you something
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The disciples are questioning
What has happened to their King
And the Pharisees are celebrating
That their scheming
Has been achieved
But they don’t know
It’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
He’s hanging on the cross
Feeling forsaken by his Father
Left alone and dying
Can nobody save him?
Ooooh
It’s Friday
But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The earth trembles
The sky grows dark
My King yields his spirit

It’s Friday
Hope is lost
Death has won
Sin has conquered
and Satan’s just a laughin’

It’s Friday
Jesus is buried
A soldier stands guard
And a rock is rolled into place

But it’s Friday
It is only Friday
Sunday is a comin’!

(Can I get a big “Amen”?)

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