It’s called “Silent Saturday”. We find “Silent Saturday’s” story in Matthew 27:62-66.
Jesus is in a sealed tomb. Roman soldiers stand watch over the Lord’s lifeless body. The disciples hide in fear. The religious leaders are satisfied they are rid of this backwoods preacher. The devil and all the demons of hell are celebrating. Those who believed He was the promised Messiah are devastated.
In the quietness of Saturday questions swirl. How could this have happen? God where were you?
Don’t mistake God’s silence for Him not caring and knowing. He knew exactly what had happen and He knew what would happen on Sunday.
In each of our lives we experience our own “Silent Saturdays”. Times when we are devastated . Fear grips us and we wonder God where are you. In these times God is working in our lives whether we can see Him or not. He is getting ready to bring a “Sunday” to us. The scripture is true “Tears may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
If you find yourself in your own Silent Saturday today hear the words of the old song.
“They all walked away, nothing to say, They’d just lost their dearest friend, All that He said. Now He was dead, So this was the way it would end
Their dreams they had dreamed, Where not not what they seemed, Now that He was died and gone. The garden, the jail, the hammer, the nails, How could a night be so long?
Then came the morning, Shadows vanished before the sun, Death had lost and life had won, For morning had come. Morning had broken, Like the first morning, The stone was rolled away, Hope rose with the dawn. Morning had come!
God is there doing more than we know in the Silent Saturdays. It’s Saturday. Jesus is in the tomb, but Sunday’s coming!
Who do you need to invite to our Easter service so they can experience “the morning”?
Brother Tom
We call it “Good Friday”, but why? What is good about the sinless Son of God dying for sinners?
It’s good because you and I are sinners. Outside the city walls of Jerusalem 2,000 years on a Friday Jesus said “Father forgive them …” and the them was you and me. He hung between haven and earth paying the debt that God required so our sins could be forgiven. When Jesus said, “It Is Finished” it was a shout of victory for us. He had done all that God demanded in order for us to have a new life. Jesus became sin for us so we could be made right with God.
The song writer has penned these words that tells us why today is called “Good Friday”. “Long, long ago in a far away place, rough, rugged timbers were raised to the sky. There hung a man suspended in space and though he was blameless they left him to die. It should have been me, it should have been me. Instead I am free, I am free!”
Take some time today and think about what Jesus did for you. When you do you will know why it’s called “GOOD FRIDAY”.
Yes, it’s Friday. Jesus has been crucified. His lifeless body has been placed in a cold dark tomb. It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!
Brother Tom
We call today “Maundy Thursday”. The word “Maundy” means commandment. It refers to the command of Jesus given at the last supper where He commanded his disciples to love one another. Then to demonstrate the type of love we were to have he washed the disciples feet and instituted the Lord’s Supper. He said, “This is my body which is broken for you. This is my blood which is shed for you.” You can read about this in Matthew 26:17-29.
On this Thursday before Easter think about the way you love others. Is it with the same type of love that Jesus loved you? Is it a love that comes with a commitment? Is your love so strong that even if it demands a sacrifice on your part you will love no matter the cost?
On this “Maundy Thursday 2,000 years ago, in the upper room Jesus washed the disciples feet, told them to love one another, and instituted the Lord’s Supper. He proved His love for them and for us by His actions and in His words.
Today have you told Jesus how thankful you are for His love? Who are you loving the way Jesus loves you? Who do you know, that needs to know, that Jesus loves them?
It’s Thursday, but Sunday is coming. Who do you need to invite to be in the Easter service with you so they can hear that Jesus loves them?
Brother Tom
On Wednesday of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life we are told in Mathew 26:1-16, that Judas went to the religious leaders and agreed to betray Jesus into their hands. We often wonder how he could have done that. How could someone who had experienced the love, the grace, and the mercy of Jesus betray Him? How could he sell Jesus for thirty pieces of silver?
How about us? Do we betray Jesus? Are we guilty of selling Jesus for our own”Thirty pieces of silver”? We betray him when we remain silent when we know we should share gospel. We betray Him when we decide to do what we want rather than what we know He wants us to do? We guilty of betraying Jesus when we allow anything or anyone else to have first place in our lives other than Him.
As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus let’s examine our lives and make sure we are not guilty of betraying the one who has given us new life.
It’s Wednesday, but Sunday is coming!!!!!!
Brother Tom
On Tuesday of the last week of Jesus’ life, His authority was questioned by the religious leaders. In Matthew 21:22-32, these leaders wanted to know by what authority Jesus did the things that He did. They did not want to submit to Him. It is easy for us to be like those religious leaders. So many times in our lives we want to do what we want rather than what Christ wants.
As you prepare for the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday what area of your life do you need to submit to Him. Isn’t it time you stop questioning His authority. After all you have been bought with a price – His blood. It has been said if we knew what God knows, we would gladly submit to His authority.
Who is that you know that needs to know God’s will for their life? Invite them to join you for our Easter service this Sunday.
Brother Tom
Dear First Family,
Yesterday as we began Holy Week we heard about Jesus triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord…”. The city rang with it’s praises to Jesus. You were reminded that you should be praising Jesus as well.
Some two thousand years ago today, on Monday, of Holy week, Jesus cleansed the temple. In Matthew 21:12-16 , Jesus chases the money changers out of the house of worship. He says that his house is to be a house of prayer. Is your life in need of a cleansing? Have you given other things priority over prayer in your life?
As we anticipate the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday what needs the Lord’s cleansing in your life? What do you need to do so that you become a person of prayer?
It’s Monday, but Sunday is coming. Now is the time to prepare for the resurrection of Jesus.
Brother Tom
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