paravanes:meditations

(c) Deborah Evans If you allow yourself to step away from the busy-ness of preparations for Easter celebrations, you may experience a powerful truth. Jesus did not step away from experiencing betrayal, extreme pain, abandonment by his friends, suffering, torture, and an excruciating public execution. He experienced what many have or will experience right up to the point of death --and beyond. We never need to deny or pretend about any honest expressions of grief, sadness, or pain. God understands. Jesus Christ is completely filled with compassion, mercy, and healing for anyone who is completely honest with him.  You can't always trust power or wisdom or greatness, but you can always trust the compassion of Jesus Christ because he has experienced the deepest possible pain. Then, he overcame all of it. This is why you can trust him to save you from yourself and your mistakes and failures. Because of his compassion, you can also trust him to love you through it all.

As  21st century believers in Jesus Christ, we have an advantage those first followers did not have on this day we call Holy Saturday. Those apostles were certain life as they'd known and hoped for was over forever. Somehow, the miracle worker who raised the dead was himself dead. He died a torturous death by crucifixion and most of his disciples had been justifiably certain this would be their fate as well. They spent the day and night in hiding. Fortunately for us, we know from the scriptures and from our experience how the story ended. Jesus' return from death guarantees we don't cease to exist when our spirits leave our bodies. Resurrection is for all of Jesus' true followers. The lesson of Holy Saturday can be found in the words of the beloved hymn, "Be Still My Soul":  "all now mysterious shall be bright at last. " This is the comfort that never ends, regardless of time, space, and circumstance. Amen, and thank you Lord Jesus.

When dreams die, will I still listen for the voice of God?

Yes, you absolutely can recover from the loss of life's familiar structures and patterns. The disciples on Holy Saturday:  hiding out, dreams crushed, identities warped, "fearless leader" killed by oppressive state powers which were guided by jealousy and envy. The disciples after the Resurrection:  surprised beyond belief by the emergence of supernatural good, enfused with a positive mission, focused and determined, full of faith even when challenged or in danger or meeting death. Yes, you can recover. When Jesus restores, he takes less and makes more. There is a life worth living, even after the deepest darkness and the most piercing pain.