Everyday Tasks

Scripture

Luke 23: 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. 24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

Thoughts

These women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, as Matthew describes the two), in the midst of the shock, horror, grief and agony, went about with what they knew had to be done-preparing for burial the body of the man they had followed for three years. They had seen his eyes fill with tears over the death of a friend, heard his compassion for people who were invisible to most of the world, and felt his touch on their hearts as he healed their brokenness. 

 

Instead of fleeing to a hiding place away from the Roman guards (as the rest of Jesus’ disciples did) these two women went about the necessary preparations to lay to rest the one they cherished. 

 

In their faithfulness, they were rewarded with an unimaginable  twist to their day. There was only an empty tomb with no dead body of Jesus to cover with spices and perfumes.

 

Each day brings new challenges, often unexpected twists on situations we think we’ve figured out, and we can find ourselves taking a breath and trying to move forward with the new reality.  We consider how drastic and crazy making the changes are, and whether what we are facing is just an added wrinkle to a complex situation or a full blown upheaval of what we were expecting.

 

Unlike these women, we wake up knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are not alone. Our savior is risen–Jesus is no longer buried, but sits at the right hand of the Father, and his Spirit is with us, guiding us, comforting us, reminding us that whatever twists and turns our days may bring, he is still with us, he abides evermore. 

 

Reflection

The reality of Easter–the very alive and present Jesus– is true whether it is the Sunday after Good Friday or some hot and blazing mid-July morning-Jesus is risen, his love and presence is real, and greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! He is waiting to walk with us in whatever situation we come across–expected or unexpected. He is our good shepherd, our faithful guide in each moment of each day. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

 

Personal Prayer

Father, please remind me each day that Jesus is risen, and may your spirit keep me hungry for his presence.

 

Shared Prayer Focus

Please pray that the Holy Spirit would awaken in the hearts of our leaders, their advisors, and every person in our country with our need for Jesus above anything else. 

 

Prayer Requests & Praise Reports

No matter how small, please reply with a praise report, and send any and all prayer needs!