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Reflections
Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:57-66
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 13:17-14:9; Hebrews 7:1-22
“Lord, we remember how that Deceiver said while He was still alive, ‘After three days, I will rise.’” (Matthew 27:63)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We count a day from midnight to midnight. The Hebrews counted time from when the sun went down until it came up again. That’s why God says during Creation, “It was evening and morning.” When the sun goes down, it is a new day!
Jesus was crucified for our sins, died, and was buried before the sun went down on Friday. That’s day one! He spent the evening Friday and Saturday morning in the tomb. That’s day two! When the sun goes down on Saturday and comes up on Sunday morning, that’s day three!
This is important tonight as the Lord gives us one of the most ancient services in the Church: the Easter Vigil. As Jesus rests in the tomb, we keep vigil, or watch, for His resurrection. The service begins outside as the sun goes down on Lent. It continues until the sun fully sets and the Third Day begins, the day Jesus rose again from the dead.
The center of this service is a very tall candle called the Paschal Candle. Be taught by it! The candle has nails to remind you that Christ died on Good Friday. There is an Alpha and Omega, because He is the beginning and the end. The year is also on the candle because all our days and years are in His hands. This is the symbol of the resurrection from the dead in the Church. It will be lit from now on for all Baptisms and funerals—whenever we need to be reminded that we will rise.
The service proceeds through light and darkness, death and life. We hear tonight the Old Testament accounts of how God has worked through the centuries to bring about His salvation in Jesus. We are reminded of our Baptism, where we died and rose again with Him. When the sun is fully down and the day is over, the service changes to Easter. Your pastor will look at you and say, “Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!” You will respond, “He is risen indeed, Alleluia!” Lent is over. Your Lord who died for you has risen from the dead! What better way to celebrate than to receive His Supper! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O God, You made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection. Preserve in us the spirit of adoption which You have given that, made alive in body and soul, we may serve You purely; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Holy Saturday)
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By Higher Things®Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:57-66
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 13:17-14:9; Hebrews 7:1-22
“Lord, we remember how that Deceiver said while He was still alive, ‘After three days, I will rise.’” (Matthew 27:63)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We count a day from midnight to midnight. The Hebrews counted time from when the sun went down until it came up again. That’s why God says during Creation, “It was evening and morning.” When the sun goes down, it is a new day!
Jesus was crucified for our sins, died, and was buried before the sun went down on Friday. That’s day one! He spent the evening Friday and Saturday morning in the tomb. That’s day two! When the sun goes down on Saturday and comes up on Sunday morning, that’s day three!
This is important tonight as the Lord gives us one of the most ancient services in the Church: the Easter Vigil. As Jesus rests in the tomb, we keep vigil, or watch, for His resurrection. The service begins outside as the sun goes down on Lent. It continues until the sun fully sets and the Third Day begins, the day Jesus rose again from the dead.
The center of this service is a very tall candle called the Paschal Candle. Be taught by it! The candle has nails to remind you that Christ died on Good Friday. There is an Alpha and Omega, because He is the beginning and the end. The year is also on the candle because all our days and years are in His hands. This is the symbol of the resurrection from the dead in the Church. It will be lit from now on for all Baptisms and funerals—whenever we need to be reminded that we will rise.
The service proceeds through light and darkness, death and life. We hear tonight the Old Testament accounts of how God has worked through the centuries to bring about His salvation in Jesus. We are reminded of our Baptism, where we died and rose again with Him. When the sun is fully down and the day is over, the service changes to Easter. Your pastor will look at you and say, “Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!” You will respond, “He is risen indeed, Alleluia!” Lent is over. Your Lord who died for you has risen from the dead! What better way to celebrate than to receive His Supper! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O God, You made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection. Preserve in us the spirit of adoption which You have given that, made alive in body and soul, we may serve You purely; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Holy Saturday)