Solemnity and Joy

As both the Maundy Thursday service and Good Friday service come to a close at Prince of Peace in Beulah, North Dakota, the church congregation is asked to leave in silence. Silent and somber, remembering the agony that Jesus experienced the night of His arrest and dwelling on the horrific events of His death.

However, Resurrection Sunday morning is a completely different matter. There is abundant joy, boisterous laughter, and victorious singing. What a celebration! -- And what an incredible reason to celebrate: we have a RISEN Savior, One who conquered over death.

I spent some time this weekend pondering the stark contrast of the solemnity of the Thursday night and Friday night services with the exuberant joy of the Sunday morning service. Isn't it fantastic that, although we remember the pain, sin, agony, and death that Jesus experienced in our place each year, He doesn't experience it year after year? We leave in silence, reflecting on the events that occurred over 2,000 years ago but we do not leave in horrific silence that they have happened again.

"For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." - Hebrews 9:24-25

"He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time sat down at the right hand of God . . . For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." - Hebrews 10:12,14

May we realize the grotesqueness and severity of our sin; may that be the reason of our silence and solemnity. But -- praise the LORD that we may also rejoice in the glorious truth that Jesus Christ conquered death and that He "lives to make intercession for [us]" (Hebrews 7:25)!

"'Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen" (Luke 24:5-6)!