The First Holy Saturday

Christ's body lay in the tomb; his life and ministry appeared to be over as the stone was rolled over the entrance to his grave. It was a day of mourning and shock for his followers whose hope was gone. To   many others, it was a time of relief if not celebration. For God it was a Sabbath of silence.

What if the story ended there? What if Jesus had remained in the tomb--a footnote in the history of the Jews, a would-be Messiah, another prophet silenced by powerful leaders who protect themselves at all costs? What would that mean for you and me and our relationship with God and our hope for a new world to come?

Cleansing the Soul and the Spring Equinox

Monday’s Dallas Morning News’ contained an article “Clearing the Air for Spring.” The accompanying photograph featured a woman from the Jung Society inhaling smoke while saying a cleansing and smoke prayer, described as a way to cleanse the soul. How can smoke purify something intangible and eternal?

Historically, the equinox has been associated with pagan rituals and nature worship. Instead, we might use it as a time to adore the Creator by cleaning our souls as an act of worship, particularly if we don’t do so for Lent.

The rebirth of nature reminds us of the resurrection of Christ, who died and returned to life by the power of God’s Spirit. We, too, share in his resurrection—now as we live a new life, dead to our old selves, and at Jesus’ return when our bodies will be raised. “By his great mercy he gave us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:3b).

As people who have risen from death to new life, let’s do some soul-cleansing, knowing that only God can wash us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.”

Here are some questions that allow God access to areas in my life which may need cleansing. (There are too many to put them all!)