The year was 1976. The place was the ancient city of Jerusalem. It was early morning on the day we were to return to the United States from our tour of the Holy Land.
My husband and I were seated with our tour group in a quiet, lovely garden that faces an open tomb. It’s known to tourists as “Gordon’s Tomb,” named in memory of the Englishman who discovered the spot and developed the garden. At least eight times earlier, we had worshipped in that garden, and it was always an impressive and dramatic experience for me.
In the garden that day, the speaker was a Christian war correspondent. He told of interviewing a Marine just before the serviceman entered the largest battle of the Korean War. It was 2 a.m. and the temperature was below zero. It was so cold, in fact, that their bare fingers stuck to any metal. The Marine was leaning against a tank and eating cold beans from a can with a pen knife.
The reporter asked, “If I were God and could give you anything, what would you ask for?”
The Marine dug out another mouthful of beans, and replied, “I would ask for today.”
We have today and can live it fully because Christ was willing to go to the cross.
A wonderful story about Abraham Lincoln relates that, following his memorial service in Washington, D.C., his body was taken to his beloved Illinois. Along the way, the train stopped at towns and villages for people to view the body.
In one small town where the train didn’t stop, there was a young black woman holding her 2-year-old child. As the train passed, she held the child higher and said, “Take a long look, honey. He died for you.”
I believe that before we can fully celebrate the resurrection, we need to take a long look at the cross and realize that Christ died for us so that we may fully live a life of freedom and resurrection. Only then can we begin to live like Easter people.
Contact Nell Mohney at nellwmohney@comcast.net.