ZPCBlog

Editor's note

About the author: Cynthia Carr has attended ZPC since 2006 with her husband, John, and their sons, Ryan and Jason. She has served as a Deacon and been blessed by the Great Banquet community. Currently, she supports both the Hospital and Intercessory Prayer team ministries. Cynthia also volunteers with her dog, Louie, who is a therapy dog for Love on a Leash. 

About this post: This blog post is part of a series of daily devotionals for Holy Week. To sign up to receive text notification of these posts, text zpc devo to 39970. We welcome your comments and questions each day.

Today's scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9

Parenting a senior in high school has been a colorful rainbow of emotions for me this year, despite having done it once already. When our boys were toddlers, we found a helpful book titled The Way I Feel by Janan Cain. She effectively describes emotions as colors which was useful for the boys to communicate their feelings.

The college application process and “lasts” of high school have reminded me of this time ranging from excited orange to scared black and worrisome purple. As I support our son without directing, the happy yellow from God’s provision has squelched any sad greens I’ve felt. God has brought both of us closer to him in the ups and downs of essay drafts, sports wins and losses, and outcomes. The peaceful blue in the power of prayer claims my words to our Heavenly Father to protect, grant wisdom, and provide a path. And our Lord has provided, for which I am grateful!

I encourage you to read the scripture in Isaiah 25:6-9. It reveals that Jesus was preparing a feast for all the people on a mountain top. All the best foods and wines were to be served to both Jews and Gentiles. The story tells us that the Lord God will destroy the shroud that unfolds all peoples, which the Bible notes tells us represents his ability to swallow death forever. This darkness of death and sadness will be replaced by the light of Jesus. He will wipe away all our tears and our sadness will be removed. We rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus and are glad in his salvation. Praise to the Lord!

As we reflect on the emotions of Holy week, and the equivalent colors, we know who Jesus is in our lives. We are encouraged that there is hope for each of us. We started the week exuberant as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey; solemnly celebrated the Last Supper; and concluded with sadness of Jesus’ death on Good Friday. We are encouraged that tomorrow, on Easter, we will celebrate that Jesus’ crucified body was resurrected and our tears will be replaced with feelings of exuberant wonder. 

Prayer

Most gracious and loving God, we thank you for this day as we anticipate the resurrection of your Son, Jesus.  May you be with us in all our days of joy and sadness and remind us often of the hope and joy we have in you.  You wipe away our tears forever when we trust in you.  Amen

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