by Victoria Heinecke

Are we there yet?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?^[ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:2-3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Recently, a number of people have mentioned in conversation that winter in Colorado seems to be lasting longer. Our first cold spell arrived a little early, and we haven’t had the usual respites of warmer weather in between the snowfalls. The grass is still brown. The songbirds seem late in performing their morning song. Even with baseball season starting, most signs of spring are not apparent. Meanwhile, my husband and I went to the Midwest last week, where the grass is greener and trees are beginning to blossom.

In my neighborhood, these plants are just beginning to come out of the ground, while the trees appear dormant. What are they? Will they bear fruit or flowers? Are they weeds?

It’s hard to wait.

After Jesus was crucified, died and laid in the tomb, the disciples struggled to cope with the finality of death. There was no waiting. Hope was lost, because, in their minds, there was nothing after death.

The day between Christ’s death and his resurrection has an almost eerie silence to it.

“God is not a human being, that he should lie,
    or a mortal, that he should change his mind.
Has he promised, and will he not do it?
    Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?“
Numbers 23:19 NRSV

God never breaks his promises. Jesus promised eternal life to his followers before he was crucified. The promise was fulfilled when Jesus said, “It is finished.”

“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
Revelation 22:20b NRSV

In Christ, today isn’t a time to wait. It’s anticipation of the glory that will be celebrated tomorrow.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado