Saturday in the Octave of Easter
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Eggs and marshmallows
Hey guys, I got an idea for the day before Easter. Why don’t we throw marshmallows from our helicopter the way we throw candy from floats at the 4th of July parade?
Cool plan! Who thought of that?
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.
I think whoever had that idea might have been a companion of Jesus. 15,000 marshmallows flew out the copter’s side doors in several waves, including a wave for disabled kids pushing their wheelchairs toward the white specks on the ground. Anyone who didn’t eat their marshmallow could exchange it for an Easter basket. Southfield, Michigan (near Detroit) had one very happy Saturday.
In Austin we had a backyard Easter egg hunt instead. Some of the eggs had candy inside, some had slips of paper to be exchanged for a basket, and some were empty. Why? Because Jesus’ tomb was empty!
Like Peter and John, so for all of us:
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.
For two thousand years we have found ways to speak about Jesus and his empty tomb. Sometimes it’s with marshmallows, sometimes with empty Easter eggs, and sometimes with strong speeches from mountaintops, in court rooms or basketball courts, or quiet conversations in hospital rooms.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever. My strength and courage is the Lord, and has been my savior. Hear the joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just.
Yesterday Miles and Jasper spent part of the day with us. After playing with construction machines, airplanes and firetrucks and lunch at Wendy’s, we watched a few youTube scenes filmed in the cockpit of an overnight flight from Copenhagen to Bangkok by the FlightRadar24 folks, then the view from a helicopter cockpit during an air show flight, along with a scene or two from Thunderbirds Are Go and from Bluey. Like the Wendy’s meal, a little bit of everything.
The boys piled into one bed for a nap. Well, I at least wanted a nap. In fact, I rested pretty well while Jasper and Miles rolled and bucked and whispered and giggled beside me. We were living the lives we have because of Jesus’ empty tomb, and I for one was very thankful.
Andi picked up her boys, while Margaret and I visited our cardiologist. Routine appointments. Again I felt thankful for Jesus’ empty tomb. Everything that happens in our lives returns to proper perspective when I step into the Judean cave, and see that it is still empty. Thank you, Jesus.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Though the Lord has indeed chastised me, yet he has not delivered me to death.
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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