If ever there were a simple explanation I could use to sum up the story of the cross, it would be this:
Friday – a day of hardship and death
Saturday – a day of mourning and wait
Sunday – a day of rebirth and life
Monday – a day of sharing and telling
I’m not saying this story is such a simple story that it can be confined to one measly explanation. I’m sure Matthew could have written ten whole books about that historic event. I’m also not saying my weekend paraphrase is biblically accurate. I’m merely pointing out that when I read Matthew 26-28, I interpret the weekend representation as such a fitting parallel to the many seasons in life we all go through.
Seasons of hardship and death
Seasons of mourning and wait
Seasons of rebirth and life
Seasons of sharing and telling
Every season we face is represented – in some way or another – by and through the story of the cross. And isn’t that exactly how Christ would have us live? – lovingly intertwined and beautifully interwoven by and through our “cross”roads with Him?
But I can’t help but feel like the last part of the story is something we easily forget to do – our seasons of sharing and telling.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, making them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20
After His season of hardship and death, after His season of mourning and wait, after His season of rebirth and life, Jesus walked straight up to His disciples and commissioned them to share all they had experienced.
We are commissioned to do the same.
Our seasons of life serve a much greater purpose and Easter Monday reminds us of that.
He has risen! Now go share your story.
