Some Things Never Change

When I was growing up Holy Week and Spring Break were at the same time.  During Holy Week churches held services every night and on Good Friday many of the churches held 3 hour services with 7 messages given on the last seven words of Jesus.  It was a time to reflect, to quietly ponder what Christ had done for us.

Easter Sunday for our family meant spending the whole morning at church.  One of us was either singing in a choir at one of the many services or sitting in the pew with the family.  As we got older we were active in the Easter breakfast that the youth put on.  I always thought of the church as my second home and was very comfortable there even though it was three stories high and spread out in length over half a city block.  I think we had 5 pastors, 3 Sunday Schools, and 5 choirs.  It still felt intimate and familiar to me, and I have fond memories of all that occurred inside its walls, including our wedding.

Our town's population was around 30,000 and most of the downtown would close up during those three hours on Good Friday.  Of course nothing was open on Sunday!  I don't remember when it started to change...certainly not while I was still at home.  But change it did.

Most Spring breaks take place at some time other than Holy Week so families can take vacations and so every religion is treated equally.  Church on Good Friday is not usually 3 hours long and the stores do not close down for anything.  Not even on Easter.  The need to make money prevails.

There are some things that have not changed though.  We still remember that Jesus still was worshiped on Palm Sunday and crucified on Good Friday.  He still had Passover and spoke to His disciples about what was coming.  Jesus still died for all our sins and for our diseases.  Jesus still rose from the dead.

Jesus is still our Savior and we still shed tears on Good Friday thinking of all He suffered....and we still rejoice and sing praises as we worship on Easter morning celebrating His resurrection from the dead.

Yes, some things never change.  Thank you God for sending your son.  Thank you Jesus.

"For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, 

but have everlasting life."

John 3:16