Lenten Feast Day; Palm Sunday

Lenten Feast Day
Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 9, 2017

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered,
they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 23:2

About fifteen, years ago, we went to Israel with a group of friends, a trip I had dreamed of for years. One of the places we knew we had to see was the tomb where Jesus was buried.

Our son-in-law has been many times, and he tried to prepare me for disappointment, telling about two possible burial sites: Gordon’s tomb, in a lovely garden, and another I hardly remember. He said that I would like Gordon’s tomb best because it fits my mental image of the biblical account, but he is quite sure that the other one is the real burial place. He was right. Gordon’s tomb is my choice.

Circumstances prevented me from going to the tomb with all our traveling companions, so our son-in-law, Michael, took Gene and Shirley Shrader and me to the garden in the late afternoon. The four of us entered the sepulcher together. The moment required quiet. Nobody spoke. I saw tears in Gene Shrader’s eyes. Quietly he asked, “Is it possible that we are standing where they laid our Lord’s body?”

We later sat in the garden, were given communion, and thanked God that the tomb is empty. We didn’t talk much because neither of us wanted to touch the time with words. It was one of those moments that you never forget.

But this event is not something to be quiet about! This is the greatest news the world has ever heard! Jesus overcame death, and because he lives, we who have trusted our lives to him shall also live! We should be shouting the news from the rooftops!

Prayer: Father, help us to boldly declare to a dying world that Jesus is rise, that once and for all he has conquered death and is alive! Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator