Devotion
In the Tomb
Frances Taylor
If only we knew what this really meant for us, we wouldn't worry so much about dying. I must admit that the older I get, and the more loved ones I have lost, the less concerned I am with being dead. But wouldn't we all like to know what it means to be resurrected? This Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is kind of a strange day for me. Not really Lent, but not really Easter yet. What was going on for Jesus? We really don't know. So many questions, so few answers! We just have a lot to think about. How we feel about Lent coming to an end probably has a lot to do with how well we kept our Lenten promises. Are we happy we can have that ice cream, candy, beer, cigarette again? Or have we decided to keep up with the good habits we have practiced over these last 40 days? Perhaps the prayer habits we developed have left us with a new spirit, a new feeling of having drawn closer to Jesus, more aware of his sacrifice and how important it is to live as witnesses to our Christian faith. Tomorrow is Easter, let us rejoice and be glad!
Prayer
Father, how can we thank you for your gifts, especially the gift of your Son and his sacrifice. May we turn our hearts and minds to you and be made worthy to receive your blessings. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
