What Hasn't Changed

This week is Holy Week. It is the week we commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord. We began the week this past Sunday by celebrating Palm Sunday, the day we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus of Nazareth into Jerusalem. Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday, the day that we remember Jesus’s last supper with his disciples. We also remember that, on that Thursday night in the upper room, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, a sign of anointing for the new role they are about to find thrust upon them.

The next day is Good Friday, the day we remember how Jesus willingly suffered and died as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. I love how Justin Holcomb sums up Good Friday in an article on Christianity.com entitled  What’s So Good about Good Friday?. He writes, "Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good."

As Good Friday draws to a close we come to Saturday, what is traditionally know as Holy Saturday. This day is recognized as the day on which Jesus “rested” from His work of providing salvation to a lost and dying world. This Saturday would have been the seventh day of Holy Week, the traditional day of rest. 

With all that is going on in the world around us right now, this remembrance of Holy Saturday should be all the more important. There is a real significance to the thought that Jesus rested following the completion of this great work that purchased our freedom. This Sunday at First Baptist we will be worshiping together with one of my favorite songs of the Easter season, It Is Finished from Passion. The song echos the words of Jesus as He called out, “It is finished!” I love the words of the chorus:

     It is done, it is finished
     Christ has won, He is risen
     Grace is here
     Love has triumphed over death forever

Jesus could rest on that Saturday because it was done, it was indeed finished. The task He came to earth for was completed on the cruel cross of Calvary. There was no further price to pay; the debt of sin had been atoned for. Grace had come to all mankind. Love had triumphed over death in a week-long spectacle for all to witness, then and now!

With COVID-19, this Easter will undoubtedly be different than any other we have ever experienced. Yet in the middle of all these changes that we find ourselves dealing with, adjusting to as best we can, there are still some things that haven’t changed! His grace hasn’t changed! His mercy hasn’t changed! His forgiveness hasn’t changed! And the empty grave hasn’t changed, it is still empty!

Because Jesus finished His task and won our redemption on the cross we have resurrection power over every circumstance, including COVID-19!
 So in this time where we remember the rest our Savior took on this Holy Thursday, be reminded of these words from this song:

     His word stands final and forever
     It will not be shaken,
     He alone has won it all!

He's already won the victory, mercy won! So why don't you just relax and...#ObserveTheRest.