Thoughts on Easter Holiday

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, author, former columnist for The Times and an RN in mental health nursing and health plan accreditations. She recently sent some passages and thoughts for the upcoming Easter holiday. Send comments and prayer requests to bonniezickgraf@gmail.com. 

Matthew 27:50-51

“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”

Current interpretation of the curtain tearing in two is a symbol of God opening His Holy Kingdom to humankind through the sacrifice of Jesus. God was now opened to all people. This event was the fulfillment of the New Covenant.

I think it goes deeper than that.

I believe the actual tearing of the curtain itself was our Father’s heart breaking apart instantaneously for His Son’s immense suffering, followed by immediate release into pure and intense joy as His son came home to live with Him once again. The ultimate act of love and grace not just for God and humanity, but for God and His Son reunited.

On Suffering…

God does not bring suffering into our lives.

Being human and living on earth does.

God is about restoration and divine discipline.

He prepares us for salvation. Not by punishment, but by love.

We were gifted a new covenant through Jesus Christ.

“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?” 

(Hebrews 12:7) NLT