Daily Devotional for April 5, 2023

Years ago, a pastor friend of mine, stood before the congregation for the benediction at the end of the Easter Worship Service and said, “I will see many of you again on Christmas Eve.”

While it is true that many people who come to church on Easter won’t darken the church doors again until Christmas Eve, they come because they know it’s important.

Sadly, many don’t understand exactly why Easter is so special.  One of the primary reasons for this is a weakness that is built into the liturgical calendar.

Many people come to church on Palm Sunday, which is a time of celebration and joy.  Then, the next time they come to church is Easter Sunday, which is also a time of celebration and joy.  But what they don’t deal with are the incredibly important events that happen between Palm Sunday and Easter.

This includes Jesus’ teaching in the Temple, his struggles in the garden, the kangaroo court he endured, the scourging he suffered, his painful trek up the hill of Golgotha, and his torturous death on a cross.

While none of this is fun or exciting, it is incredibly important in understanding the beauty of an empty tomb. That’s what Holy Week is all about.  It’s what makes Easter special.

This week, plan on coming to the Maundy Thursday service at 6:00 and the Good Friday service at 6:00.

These two worship services will fill in the gaps between the two Sundays and make Easter even more of a celebration.  It matters.

As the psalmist said, “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:1-4)

It is true some of the people who worship on Easter won’t come back until Christmas Eve.  That’s okay.  I’ll take them when I can get them.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, I pray the true meaning of Easter permeates every aspect of our lives.  Help us live in response to your wonderful love.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Come to the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services.  You will be glad you did.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins