As a child I never understood why we called the day Jesus died “Good.” Today it makes sense. Today Jesus laid down His life for us. As He said in John: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Today is all about God’s love for us. And also the reminder for us, that death is not the end. Our loved ones who have died, still live. We will see them again.
Today the Bible opened to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
It truly is a good day. What might seem like a terrible day to those without faith or hope — what may seem terrible here on earth — can be the most beautiful thing — can have a greater purpose. Because we have faith and hope, we need not grieve like the rest. Our God is stronger! As I am typing the words to Chris Tomlin’s song “Our God” are singing through my head — rejoicing through my body:
“Into the darkness you shine, out of the ashes we rise there’s no one like you, none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?”
Sufficient Grace 
Patty, Thank you for this! I have to admit I saw you posted the blog last night but for two reason’s I didn’t read it. One, because it was late and I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open. And two, because Good Friday was a very emotional day for me after praying the steps and then doing some personal reflection on the day of Jesus’ death – even though I know the “hidden” beauty of it. So, I just didn’t want to read something that was going to make me cry – again. I was emotionally exhausted on top of physically exhausted.
Now I wish I read this last night. This has brought me a new hope! Not for me, but for my son! As you know, he no longer has his faith. I’m not sure if he’s atheist or agnostic but I pray for him everyday to return to the strong faith he once had. I laid him at the foot of Jesus’ cross a long time ago after so much agonizing worry for so long. By God’s grace did I realize that there was nothing for me to do, that the battle was not mine to bring him back, it’s not up to me, but it was Jesus’. With faith and trust, I let go of this battle, and gave him to Jesus. Now, in this beautiful letter from Paul (I knew this would be a good name for my son!), this is a reassurance, a reminder, that not only is my son not forgotten, but he will be handled with special loving care. I laid him at the foot of the cross not only to release him from my worries and let Jesus take the burden away from me, but so that he can rise up first! By the word of command from God, he will rise up! With the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God! How beautiful is that! Of course I never questioned that God would take care of him – I just wasn’t happy with His timing. And if he gets this more lavish welcome into THE Kingdom before me – I couldn’t be more thankful! So, thank you for this post! Even though it made me cry once again…
Dear great, powerful, and loving Lord,
Thank you! Not only for all You have given me, all the blessings You have bestowed on me, this beautiful life You have given me. But thank You for the countless reminders of Your love and the power of it! Thank You for your profits like Paul. Thank you for the loud, BOOMING thunder and cracks of lightening. Thank you for the majestic mountains that seem to never end into the clouds. Thank you for deep seas full of never ending wonder and beauty. Thank you for the skies that go beyond than not only the eye can see but beyond all our satellites. Thank you for the miracle of new life. Thank You for all these and so much more, including the butterfly, who lives to die in it’s cocoon only to emerge with large beautiful wings to lift it up for all to see. For these are all reminders of Your power, beauty, and never ending love!
I cannot wait for this Easter Vigil to welcome our newest members into Your all loving Church! Lord, let Easter come quick because I am bursting to celebrate You and begin a new life with all my brothers and sisters! God I love you!
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