Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Easter: Celebration of Salvation through Christ
Exodus 15:1-11
Vs 2 “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him.”
As the world is devastated by COVID-19, the global Church is especially saddened by the reality of not congregating together on Easter Sunday. Even as I fully support social distancing for the health and safety of our church families, it sometimes feels like this virus is robbing us of our most basic freedoms. This Lenten season has been marked by a particular heaviness and sense of sacrifice.
God’s people are not strangers to suffering. In today’s passage, we are reminded of the captivity of the Israelites by the Egyptians. For over 400 years, the Jewish people were enslaved, praying for the day when Jehovah would release them from bondage. We see how even after Moses pleads their case with Pharaoh, the Israelites must wait for God to perform miracles. We are familiar with the Exodus stories of the ten plagues, culminating in the triumphant crossing of the Red Sea. But oh, how it must have felt to wait for that freedom.
In this Holy Week, I think of what it was like to wait for the Resurrection. The sting of death is clear on Good Friday. But consider what it felt like on Saturday, as the followers of Jesus waited to see what else would come their way. Did they know that as the perfect Lamb, Jesus had won salvation and freed us once and for all from the bondage of sin? Did they know that they did not wait in vain?
And in the midst of this pandemic, I find myself waiting. I wait eagerly for the day when I can walk outside and into the sunshine. I wait for the day when I can hug my parents and siblings, instead of seeing them over video calls. I wait for the day when I can feel the warmth of the Kiss of Peace and taste the sacredness of Communion.
But above all else, I wait with confidence that Jesus is endlessly worthy of our praise. Even when it seems like we are losing the battle, I am reminded that He is fighting on our behalf. The good news of Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead, silencing the grave and taking His rightful place at the right hand of God the Father. And because He lives and reigns, we can find joy in the waiting.
God’s people are not strangers to suffering. In today’s passage, we are reminded of the captivity of the Israelites by the Egyptians. For over 400 years, the Jewish people were enslaved, praying for the day when Jehovah would release them from bondage. We see how even after Moses pleads their case with Pharaoh, the Israelites must wait for God to perform miracles. We are familiar with the Exodus stories of the ten plagues, culminating in the triumphant crossing of the Red Sea. But oh, how it must have felt to wait for that freedom.
In this Holy Week, I think of what it was like to wait for the Resurrection. The sting of death is clear on Good Friday. But consider what it felt like on Saturday, as the followers of Jesus waited to see what else would come their way. Did they know that as the perfect Lamb, Jesus had won salvation and freed us once and for all from the bondage of sin? Did they know that they did not wait in vain?
And in the midst of this pandemic, I find myself waiting. I wait eagerly for the day when I can walk outside and into the sunshine. I wait for the day when I can hug my parents and siblings, instead of seeing them over video calls. I wait for the day when I can feel the warmth of the Kiss of Peace and taste the sacredness of Communion.
But above all else, I wait with confidence that Jesus is endlessly worthy of our praise. Even when it seems like we are losing the battle, I am reminded that He is fighting on our behalf. The good news of Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead, silencing the grave and taking His rightful place at the right hand of God the Father. And because He lives and reigns, we can find joy in the waiting.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You love us so much that You gave us Your son, Jesus, for the forgiveness of our sins. We lift up a song of praise to You because You are our salvation. As we wait for you to heal our country, remind us of Your goodness. Risen Lord, we surrender our families, our churches, our children, and our lives into Your hands. We love you, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
As we wait to see the end of COVID-19, let us lift up a song of praise to Jesus, who saved the world by His death, burial, and resurrection.
Shana S. Mathew, Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Shana S. Mathew, Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church