Three Short Days

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb John 20:1 ESV

Just a few years ago we had twenty four inches of snow fall in our city. Cars were buried, streets were closed and everyone’s schedule came to a screeching halt! But three weeks later, with the temperatures reaching 80 degrees, the snow vanished. What a difference three short weeks made!

landscape photography of dried trees on snow covered ground

Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

One Sunday morning 2000 years ago just think what a difference three short days made. On Friday the disciples fled in fear. When Joseph and Nicodemus put Jesus into the tomb it seemed that all hope lay cold and dead. But on that dark morning when Mary came she discovered in astonishment that the stone had been rolled back and the grave stood empty!  Then Jesus Himself drew near. But Mary mistook Him for a simple gardener, until He called her name and then she was filled with joy. Not much has changed in 2000 years. We think of Him as many things but we only know Him when He comes and calls our name! What a difference three short days have made!

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Early One Morning

In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Matthew 28:1 KJV

The women came so early that the sun had not yet crested the horizon. They came not in eager anticipation of seeing Jesus but with sorrow prepared for a final good-bye. They little realized but what was far beyond anything they could have hoped for, had already accomplished. The tomb stood open and empty, because Jesus had already risen from the dead!

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The wonderful news for us is that in our own lives the resurrection of Jesus has also come with unexpected hope. Before even the first shaft of sunlight can chase away our shadows God wants us to discover that He has already done everything we need! All that remains for us to do is come. Come if you feel heavy with grief and confusion. If it everything that was precious feels like it has disappeared He calls you to the place where He once lay. There is a miracle to be found beyond anything you can imagine. There is a day about to dawn that will challenge your doubts and drive off every fear. There is something beyond all our hopes and infinitely higher than our dreams. Jesus Christ is alive. He rose from the grave and He is watching for us to walk up the pathway. He is waiting to meet us if we will just come early in the morning because a new day is just beginning to dawn!

 

 

Seven Words

Seven Words Our Savior Spoke

Seven words our Savior spoke

As He was dying there

Three words of comfort gently said

Three words He cried in prayer

And one He humbly asked “O How I thirst”

When they gave Him vinegar

Then Father forgive they do not know

What they have done to me

And to a broken dying thief He said

“In paradise we’ll be”

As Mary and John drew close to Him

His closest friend and mother

“Remember” He said “From this day on

To care for one another”

“My God – My God O why have You?

Forsaken me this way?”

He cried on that dark hill

Next “It is finished!” They heard Him say

I have done all your will

Then finally “Into your hands”

He prayed for His race was done

“I’m coming now to you My Father

Death defeated the victory won!”

Peter Caligiuri March 2020

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