American’s are people of tradition. Every family celebrates each holiday in a unique way. During the Holy-day of Easter, our family sticks to tradition. Sure it has changed a bit over the years as the children have grown, but the essentials have remained. For example, it’s an essential in our family to color Easter eggs the night before.
Our entire family gathers to gather. This year we’ll assemble at my house. We’ll have the usual Easter ham and all the fixings for dinner. I like to bake it in cola with brown sugar and crushed pineapple. Yummy! After we eat, we mix the colors, dip the eggs, and compete for the best design. (all in fun, of course)
While coloring eggs, someone reads the crucifixion story or a devotional about Christ’s resurrection. This year we’re going to read an excerpt from Max Lacado’s book, He Choose The Nails.
“John didn’t know on that Friday what you and I now know. He didn’t know that Friday’s tragedy would be Sunday’s triumph. John would later confess that he “did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead” (John 20:9).
That’s why what he did on Saturday is so important.
We don’t know anything about this day; we have no passage to read, no knowledge to share. All we know is this: When Sunday came, John was still present. When Mary Magdalene came looking for him, she found him.
Jesus was dead. The Master’s body was lifeless. John’s friend and future were buried. But John had not left. Why? Was he waiting for the resurrection? No. As far as he knew, the lips were forever silent and the hands forever still. He wasn’t expecting a Sunday surprise. Then why was he here?
You’d think he would have left. Who was to say that the men who crucified Christ wouldn’t come after him? The crowds were pleased with one crucifixion; the religious leaders might have called for more. Why didn’t John get out of town?
Perhaps the answer was pragmatic; perhaps he was taking care of Jesus’ mother. Or perhaps he didn’t have anywhere else to go. Could be he didn’t have any money or energy or direction … or all of the above.
Or maybe he lingered because he loved Jesus.
To others, Jesus was a miracle worker. To others, Jesus was a master teacher. To others, Jesus was the hope of Israel. But to John, he was all of these and more. To John, Jesus was a friend.
You don’t abandon a friend—not even when that friend is dead. John stayed close to Jesus.
He had a habit of doing this. He was close to Jesus in the upper room. He was close to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was at the foot of the cross at the crucifixion, and he was a quick walk from the tomb at the burial.
Did he understand Jesus? No.
Was he glad Jesus did what he did? No.
But did he leave Jesus? No.
What about you? When you’re in John’s position, what do you do? When it’s Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere between yesterday’s tragedy and tomorrow’s triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God—or do you linger near him?
John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle.”
It’s my prayer that your family and mine experience afresh the miracle of Christ’s resurrection!
Our family continues the celebration by attending church. Then, it’s lunch with my husband’s side of the family. When the kids where little, we’d have an Easter egg hunt. Now, as teenagers, they rather eat and enjoy the adult company.
Times change and so do traditions but one thing that never changes is this…
Christ Lives!
Wishing you and yours a Wonderful Easter!
Micca Campbell–Helping Women Live Carefree in God’s Care
Oh Dear says
Never thought of this Micca! Our tradition is to use our dryer as a tomb and lay a toy man figure all dressed up in the dryer-sealed shut with 2 soldiers standing guard. In the morning we see that Jesus is not there but treats await the children-summer clothes or bubbles and sidewalk chalk. This year is goggles and beach towels and I think floats from last year's clearance.
Sharon Sloan - Joy In The Truth says
Love you, my sister-friend. Praying for you now.
Looking unto Him for you,
Sharon
On Purpose says
Dear Jesus be with Micca in this moment and the next, holding her tight in Your amazing arms. Allow the fear, the unknowns, and the questions to be filled with Your peace,love and strength. Amen