2020 Daily Devotion - Day 18
Holy Saturday
Some call today Holy Saturday. It is a unique day in Holy Week and the life of the Church. Normally, at Mount of Olives Church in Mission Viejo, California, we would be having our Easter Fair, which we have done for many years. We go all out on this day with a great many games for the children, including the big blow up slides and even rock climbing. We also have a petting zoo and a train you can ride. Our Missions Team would normally be having a BBQ to raise money for our missions' work. One of the best things that happens is the building of the “Victory Cross” which will stand in the church for Easter services. This “Victory Cross” is filled from top to bottom with flowers which so many help put together. It seems so strange that because of the Coronavirus, we are not able to do any of these things this year.
So here we are on the day after Good Friday, when Jesus died on the cross. We know what we are usually doing because we know what happened next. But what was the early disciples’ outlook on this day? What were they doing? What were they thinking? They were afraid.
John 20:19 NRSV
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
They were afraid because they thought they might be next; the religious and governmental leaders would seek after them and put them on a cross as well. So, they were in hiding with the doors locked. Mary Magdalene had told them how she had seen the resurrected Jesus, but still they were in hiding.
And then, Jesus appears before them in His resurrected body and said, “Peace be with you.” They were changed for eternity. They could no longer live behind locked doors. They could no longer live in hiding. Now, they could have peace and courage.
Perhaps, because of the Coronavirus, you are living behind locked doors and you are afraid. You are afraid of many things in these days. But just like with the early disciples, on the day after the crucifixion when Jesus stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with You”; He is doing the same right now. He just said it again – did you hear it? He just said to you, “Peace be with you.” This is the word from the living resurrected Savior to you this day, “Peace be with you.”
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, in these challenging days, many of us are filled with fear. We might not talk about it very often, but there is fear in our hearts. Help us to hear the words the disciples heard from the living Jesus – “Peace be with you.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
Some call today Holy Saturday. It is a unique day in Holy Week and the life of the Church. Normally, at Mount of Olives Church in Mission Viejo, California, we would be having our Easter Fair, which we have done for many years. We go all out on this day with a great many games for the children, including the big blow up slides and even rock climbing. We also have a petting zoo and a train you can ride. Our Missions Team would normally be having a BBQ to raise money for our missions' work. One of the best things that happens is the building of the “Victory Cross” which will stand in the church for Easter services. This “Victory Cross” is filled from top to bottom with flowers which so many help put together. It seems so strange that because of the Coronavirus, we are not able to do any of these things this year.
So here we are on the day after Good Friday, when Jesus died on the cross. We know what we are usually doing because we know what happened next. But what was the early disciples’ outlook on this day? What were they doing? What were they thinking? They were afraid.
John 20:19 NRSV
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
They were afraid because they thought they might be next; the religious and governmental leaders would seek after them and put them on a cross as well. So, they were in hiding with the doors locked. Mary Magdalene had told them how she had seen the resurrected Jesus, but still they were in hiding.
And then, Jesus appears before them in His resurrected body and said, “Peace be with you.” They were changed for eternity. They could no longer live behind locked doors. They could no longer live in hiding. Now, they could have peace and courage.
Perhaps, because of the Coronavirus, you are living behind locked doors and you are afraid. You are afraid of many things in these days. But just like with the early disciples, on the day after the crucifixion when Jesus stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with You”; He is doing the same right now. He just said it again – did you hear it? He just said to you, “Peace be with you.” This is the word from the living resurrected Savior to you this day, “Peace be with you.”
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, in these challenging days, many of us are filled with fear. We might not talk about it very often, but there is fear in our hearts. Help us to hear the words the disciples heard from the living Jesus – “Peace be with you.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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