The first song in the worship service Sunday morning had a line that captivated my thoughts. I’m not quoting, for this was a new song to me. But the lines spoke of Jesus’ tomb being borrowed for three days. I wonder how Joseph of Arimathea reacted when he found out that Jesus had risen from the dead and his tomb was empty. Joseph, “a righteous man,” had made preparations to place Jesus’ body in a “new tomb,” perhaps Joseph’s own tomb. This was done “late Friday afternoon . . . as the Sabbath was about to begin” (Luke 24:50–54). The tomb indicated a gift to be used forever. Jesus was dead. We do not think of tombs being borrowed and for only three days. It made connection with the sign Jesus gave them of Jonah being in “the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:39).
Pastor Glen’s sermon centered on forgiveness, using Matthew 18:7–22, and it includes instruction on reconciliation that can be useful in church policies. As Pastor Glen gave possible illustrations, I thought of situations which had happened in our former churches and work places. Some turned out well and others didn’t. But we did apply God’s grace to forgive.
Not included in the sermon, but what gave me pause to consider, happened to be the emphasis Jesus gave about “little ones,” repeated in verses 4–6, and 10. I’m reminded of the recent film we saw: The Sound of Freedom, about children sold in sex trafficking. This movie heightened awareness of this evil in our world and in our own nation. I recommend it highly.
Pastor Glen also taught Sunday school with the Scripture on Luke 4:16-30 where Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me” (v. 18). The passage emphasizes the fact that Jesus’ custom was to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Today we would say he was a regular church attendant. That’s another lesson for us. I’m thankful that even though we got started an hour late yesterday, we made it to both Sunday school and worship service.
Ann Coker 