April 8,  2023

Today's Reading: Matt 27:57-66

Daily Lectionary: Ex 13:17-14:9, Heb 7:1-22

Matthew 27:59–60: “And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Bible isn’t much on the in-between.  We have Christmas, then nothing until Jesus’ Ministry. No teenage Jesus. We get the cross and resurrection. Then some stuff about the last day.  But not much in the middle, where we spend every day. So people write books to try and fill in the gap. We’re stuck in between Easter and the Last Day. And the in-between is where all my problems and sins and trials live. I think Easter vigil is for this.  

Christ is dead and buried. He will rise tomorrow. But how do we feel today? Diet sad? Lowkey happy? What do we do in between? The Creed defines it for us in four words. He descended into hell. This was the in-between of the cross and resurrection. And even then, Jesus proclaimed the victory to the spirits in prison. Jesus kicked down the doors to hell. The cross was a real victory over the power of Satan, over the power of death. The reality was then, even before the triumph of Easter.  

We live in the in-between, waiting, but the victory is already won. The devil still exists. But he lost. You still have sins, but they’re forgiven. You still have trials, but you’re a saint, a member of the host of heaven, waiting for the resurrection. You’re tied to it today. Because Jesus who died is risen. Our Life is in between the already and the not yet, but we have the victory even now. Just as we know what’s coming tomorrow, we know for ourselves too. Christ is risen. We will rise. The in-between is already answered. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands For our offenses given; But now at God’s right hand He stands And brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be And sing to God right thankfully Loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia! (Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands (LSB 458:1)

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is Content Executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.