Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. [1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NLT)]
Found in almost every Roman Catholic church (and some Protestant and Orthodox ones), are the Stations of the Cross—a series of fourteen icons or carvings on the walls—each of which depict a moment in the Passion of Christ. Created to help people contemplate the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, they start with His death sentence from Pilate and end with His dead and battered body being laid in the tomb. Because Good Friday and Jesus’ death aren’t the end of the story, some churches have begun adding the resurrected Christ as a 15th station.
More recently, the idea of “Stations of the Resurrection” has taken hold in both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions. While the Stations of the Cross depict just one day in the life of Christ, the Stations of the Resurrection illustrate the 50 days of Eastertide. There is no official list of “stations” but they usually begin with the angel speaking to the women at the empty tomb. They continue through the days Jesus remained on earth showing events like Jesus on the road to Emmaus and His appearance to the disciples on Easter, as well as His appearances to Thomas, the disciples on the shore, and the 500 mentioned by Paul. After portraying Jesus’ Ascension on the 40th day, the “stations” conclude either with the Holy Spirit’s descent on the 50th day (Pentecost) or Jesus’ appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus.
Having spent the season of Lent spiritually preparing for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we shouldn’t need the Stations of the Cross or those of the Resurrection to help us remember Christ’s suffering, death, and rising from the dead. Nevertheless, once we put away the Easter baskets, we may not give Easter another thought until the following year. Easter, however, is more than one day; it is a liturgical season called Eastertide. Lasting for seven weeks, it concludes with Pentecost. Why not spend these weeks reading about and meditating on those 50 days in the gospels and Acts. Imagine the shock of finding an empty tomb. What was it like for Cleopas when he realized the stranger with whom he’d walked, talked, and broken bread was the resurrected Messiah? If you’d been one of His frightened followers hiding in a locked room, how would you react to seeing Jesus miraculously appear? Visualize seeing the scars on His hands and feet. What was it like to have breakfast with Him on the beach and to walk with Him, hear His voice, and witness His miracles once again? Can you imagine watching Jesus ascend into Heaven? Picture what it was like that 50th day on Pentecost when the disciples were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider how Peter, the one who denied Christ three times, became the one who boldly proclaimed Him “Lord and Messiah.” The Easter story doesn’t end at Easter, or even at Pentecost; it continues to unfold today!
Christ’s resurrection is the most powerful world-shaping event in history. It is why we are freed from our sins and live in hope not fear! The good news of Easter is so good that we should continue to celebrate Christ’s resurrection long after the rest of the world (having eaten the last of the Peeps and chocolate rabbits) is thinking about the next holiday. Remembering Easter and the events that followed should be an important part of our spiritual lives—not just for the 50 days of Eastertide—but all year long. As Augustine of Hippo said, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our hymn of praise!” Let us be Easter people all year long. Alleluia!
While touring an historic house, the elaborately set dinner table reminded me of the large formal dinner parties we had in our younger (and more energetic) days. I’d start preparing the table in advance by adding extra leaves to the table, gathering the extra chairs, and ironing out the creases in the damask tablecloth. From the cupboard in the basement, I’d haul up the crystal salad plates, my mother’s Lenox china, and the hand-painted Bavarian service plates and Czechoslovakian dessert plates that were my grandmother’s. I’d spend hours polishing the silverware and serving pieces. The service plates were set out, the silverware laid, the crystal wine and water goblets carefully placed at each setting, and the napkins artfully folded. I’d set out the silver candlesticks, put in fresh candles, get flowers from the florist, and create what I hoped would be the perfect Martha Stewart-worthy table setting. There was plenty more work to do in the kitchen. I’d spend days perusing recipes, planning the menu, making lists, purchasing food, and preparing it all. I loved doing it because I loved the people for whom I did it. Nevertheless, as nice as my guests were and as much as they enjoyed themselves, I’m not sure they truly appreciated how much effort went into everything that on that table.
In my last post, I pondered why Jesus chose the men he did as his apostles. As we enter Holy Week and the events leading to the Lord’s arrest and crucifixion, I wonder specifically about Judas Iscariot. We don’t know what Jesus saw in Judas when he was chosen as one of the twelve or even what was in Judas’ heart in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. We only know that discontent, ambition, and greed had entered his treacherous heart by the end.
When writing about the Annunciation of our Lord, I came upon some articles by women who take offense at the story of Jesus’ conception. Interpreting Mary’s response as involuntary, they picture the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary as some weird sort of supernatural rape. This is inconsistent both with Scripture and God as we know Him. The Archangel didn’t say, “Surprise, you’re pregnant!” and leave nor did he physically impregnate her. Read the words as reported by Luke; Gabriel told Mary what would happen, not what had already occurred. It was only after Mary asked how the angel’s words would be fulfilled and Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would make it possible that she accepted God’s invitation to motherhood. It was then that the miraculous power of God—the “Most High”—came upon her.
When I put my mug under the hot water tap, I saw the stain. Fresh out of the dishwasher, the mug was clean on the outside but had a dark tea stain inside. As I applied some elbow grease and Bon Ami, I thought of Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees. Like my mug, their exterior looked spotless but their interior was soiled. Unlike my tea-stained mug, however, it would take more than scouring powder to correct their problem. Rather than stained by tea tannins, the Pharisees were tainted by a host of sins starting with hypocrisy and moving right through to pride, judgment, self-righteousness, and more.
Devotions of the Heart 