Just imagine, even with hindsight, that we are present at that first Easter. Palm Sunday with its show of popularity for Jesus, has now been turned on its head with Jesus' cleansing of the Temple and his intensive teaching during the week, added to by the hatred and hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. Maybe, just maybe the Passover Meal will bring things back to normal, but no, this is no ordinary Passover Meal. Jesus wants to wash the feet of the disciples, and talks of being a servant, when there was still hope that he would lead a rebellion and restore the Jewish nation.
The breaking of bread and the cup of wine is suddenly given a different meaning - not sure what that was at the time - and then the look that Jesus gave Judas Iscariot before Judas just got up and walked out of the room. Nothing was as it should be, yet we know that this was how it was meant to be.
Good Friday - what a day that was! The atmosphere in the street as Jesus was led to Calvary, indescribable, and such a mix of emotions - horror, despair, sorrow - poor Mary, Jesus' mother, and even knowing the outcome of Good Friday, it was a harrowing experience, watching Jesus die in agony on the Cross. Then after those three hours of creepy darkness, it was all over. Time to go home, then nothing, just nothing but wait and see what might happen next.
Thank goodness Sunday morning came with the need to visit the tomb. Maybe a proper burial would help the grieving process, but no, there was to be no more grief. Just imagine being outside that empty tomb wondering what had really happened, when you hear your name called - just your name in a very familiar voice. That thought still gives me goose bumps, for that is what Jesus does - he calls us by our name to be his servant disciples, just like him.
Imagine having Jesus explain the meaning of that first Easter, from the beginning, as you walked with him along the road to Emmaus. What a teacher! and how everything suddenly fell into place as he broke the bread - definitely an 'ah ha' or 'wow' moment.
Life could never be the same again after meeting Jesus!
The breaking of bread and the cup of wine is suddenly given a different meaning - not sure what that was at the time - and then the look that Jesus gave Judas Iscariot before Judas just got up and walked out of the room. Nothing was as it should be, yet we know that this was how it was meant to be.
Good Friday - what a day that was! The atmosphere in the street as Jesus was led to Calvary, indescribable, and such a mix of emotions - horror, despair, sorrow - poor Mary, Jesus' mother, and even knowing the outcome of Good Friday, it was a harrowing experience, watching Jesus die in agony on the Cross. Then after those three hours of creepy darkness, it was all over. Time to go home, then nothing, just nothing but wait and see what might happen next.
Thank goodness Sunday morning came with the need to visit the tomb. Maybe a proper burial would help the grieving process, but no, there was to be no more grief. Just imagine being outside that empty tomb wondering what had really happened, when you hear your name called - just your name in a very familiar voice. That thought still gives me goose bumps, for that is what Jesus does - he calls us by our name to be his servant disciples, just like him.
Imagine having Jesus explain the meaning of that first Easter, from the beginning, as you walked with him along the road to Emmaus. What a teacher! and how everything suddenly fell into place as he broke the bread - definitely an 'ah ha' or 'wow' moment.
Life could never be the same again after meeting Jesus!
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