“Sunsets are proof that endings can often be beautiful too.” – Beau Taplin

Losing Betty’s sister recently is a reminder that the above quote is true. For a Jesus follower, when we lay ourselves to die, we lay ourselves to live. Our ending, although sad for those left behind, can be an entrance into a new and beautiful life.

Jesus’ resurrection on that Sunday set the stage for a new life for those who believe and follow Him. The Lord is risen indeed!

There are many what I call ‘bookends’ in God’s word. One example is when Moses was sent to deliver the Jews from Egypt, the final clincher was when God sent the angel of death to kill all the firstborn in Egypt. He told the Jews to put the blood of a slain lamb on their doorpost so the angel of death would pass over them.

That was the first bookend. The second bookend was what we celebrated yesterday when another ‘lamb’ was slain and whose blood protects us from the death of sin.

Today is another bookend. The first bookend was in the beginning when God spoke and brought a new creation into existence. After six days He rested.

Jesus’ death on the cross was the second bookend. His death brought into existence a new creation, a new kingdom. Today, we remember the day He spent in the tomb before he woke and left that tomb of silence.

Once again, God rested.

Today is the day we remember the day Jesus in effect said, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this for you.” And, he went to the cross to pay for our sins so we can have the opportunity to be in relationship with God.

However, today is a ‘good’ day for me in a more personal sense. Yesterday, Thursday, starting at about 1:30 AM I was really sick. For the next 12 hours I alternated between diarrhea and throwing up. I haven’t been this sick for decades. I was miserable.

For different reasons I knew it wasn’t food poisoning nor traditional flu. It must have been some kind of stomach bug. The saving grace was Betty who was the best nurse I could have.

I’m better as I write this on Friday morning, still worn out and a little weak, but the nausea is gone.

It is a Good Friday.

… for those who are still working …

It’s April Fools Day and this guy does a great job fooling everyone.