The Devastation Around Us

The past month has been filled with heartbreaking national news—fires raging through towns, destroying everything in their path. Entire cities have burned to the ground. One moment, the sun was shining, and the next, skies were filled with smoke. Devastation seemed to be everywhere, and it felt as though everything was being consumed by the flames.

Reflections on Holy Week Amidst the Ruin

In a strange way, the devastation around us has focused my thoughts on this Holy Week. From the jubilant scene of palm branches waving and crowds shouting “Hosanna” as Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to the night He was betrayed and later hung on the cross—much changed for His followers. Elation quickly gave way to despair. The Christ suffered and was put to death. What must those who witnessed this tragedy have thought in those moments?

Did they, like those who watched the fires consume their homes, give in to momentary despair? Or did they try to remain hopeful, recalling Christ’s prophetic words and the Scriptures that had pointed to His coming? In the natural, everything appeared lost. The cup of suffering was not removed.

The Darkness of Good Friday

Philip Yancey, in his book The Jesus I Never Knew, offers a poignant reflection on Jesus’ final words: “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” He notes that Jesus used the word “God” instead of “Abba” or “Father” during His darkest hour, highlighting the profound sense of abandonment He felt as He hung on the cross. In that moment, Christ felt entirely forsaken by the Father.

When tragedy strikes, that same feeling of abandonment can take root in our hearts. Families grieving after a loss, or communities reeling from devastation, may experience a profound sense of separation, wondering where God is amid their pain.

Easter: The Promise of Reversibility

However, in the spiritual realm, the darkness of Good Friday ultimately gives way to the light of Easter morning. Yancey points out that Easter holds the promise of “reversibility.” Because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, destruction and even death can be reversed. Easter is not just the end of a chapter—it is the beginning of something greater, the starting point for all that is to come. It offers us a glimpse of eternity, reminding us that what we see now—our struggles, suffering, and pain—is not the final word.

Hope in the Midst of Grief and Rebuilding

As a family grieves, and as we all wrestle with the emotional “rubble” left in the wake of loss, Easter brings a message of hope. If God could do what He did on Easter, bringing life out of death, what more does He have in store for us eternally? Easter is the ultimate reminder that even in the darkest times, there is light and new life ahead.

Yancey also highlights that while Christ’s body was transformed after His resurrection, the physical scars He bore remained. These scars were a reminder that painful memories may never fully fade, but the hurt of those scars will eventually heal. As we rebuild our lives from the devastation we face, Holy Week serves as a powerful reminder that someday, we will all get a new start. Tears will be wiped away, and suffering will be no more.

After Good Friday, Comes Easter—The Hope of New Life!

So, let us hold fast to the hope Easter brings. Just as Christ rose from the dead, we too will rise—out of despair, out of brokenness, and into new life. Easter is the promise that, after every Good Friday, there is resurrection. There is hope. There is new life.