Join 10,000+ Christians around the world who want to memorize more of God's Word! Josh provides weekly encouragement and ideas that go beyond just rote memorization (repeating over and over). Learn how to internalize and apply the Bible in your life like never before!
the confusing part of Easter
Published 16 days agoย โขย 3 min read
Hey [CORRECTED_NAME GOES HERE], hopefully this isn't news to you, but this Sunday marks one of the most important celebrations on the Christian calendar:
Resurrection Sunday!
I hope that you'll have a chance to celebrate with your own church family this weekend and remind both yourself and your family what an extraordinary act of love this represents.
BUT, I want to encourage you to not skip over the significance of today:
Good Friday.
Jesus had predicted not just his death, but also his resurrection three days later...multiple times (Luke 9, 18). Even still, those days between his death and resurrection were filled with fear and anxious anticipation.
Fear and anxious anticipation are not fun emotions. It's a lot easier to just skip over to feelings of joy and celebration on Sunday, I know. But have you ever thought about this:
Why didn't Jesus rise from the dead the next day? Why wait three?
There are a lot of reasons (e.g. to prove he was dead, to fulfill prophesy, etc.), but I believe this time was divinely orchestrated to force his followers to sit in the uncomfortable feelings, the doubt and the uncertainty.
Could this serve as a model for us today? Jesus has promised that he will come back (John 14:3) yet we're stuck waiting while surrounded by a world that mocks our belief and seems overcome with evil.
Personally, I don't like the feelings. I don't like the brokenness. I don't like the wars and the fighting.
But God, in his infinite wisdom, has asked us to wait. To anticipate his return and to trust His plan.
Today, I invite you to reflect on Good Friday and the days leading up to Sunday. How did the disciples feel...and can you relate? Ask the Lord what He wants you to learn and how you can grow in your faith through this time of anxious anticipation for His return.
We can do this with confidence because, as the saying goes, we know that "Sunday is coming".
๐ฃ Prepare for Easter by Listening to LUKE!
For the past week, our Bible memory Patrons have recited the entire Gospel of Luke (from memory!). I encourage you to go through the whole story of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke with us if you have the time, but at the very least, join us today or tomorrow morning as we complete the story of Jesus, premiering each day at 8am Central/9am Eastern. Check it out in your time zone:
Kelly Jo asked about using a review chart on paper instead of apps for a season and the response was full of helpful ideas! From simple tracking grids to structured review systems, members shared practical ways to stay consistent while keeping Scripture fresh.
Scripture memory is more than a mental exercise. Itโs about transformation. As Romans 12:2 reminds us, God renews our minds through His Word, shaping how we think, live, and respond.
Take a moment to visit our Reflection & Application space and be encouraged by what others are learning and consider sharing your own:
How has God revealed Himself through the verses youโre memorizing?
How have you been able to apply those Scriptures in your daily life?
Your reflection may be exactly what someone else needs today.
My hope and prayer is that these mini-devotional emails are encouraging to you. I mean, I could just send an email that simply has a link to my latest video (or I could have AI create an email!), but I intentionally spend time writing out thoughts that I hope will edify and inspire you.
May the Lord bless you and your family during this Easter celebration weekend. Talk with you next week!
Join 10,000+ Christians around the world who want to memorize more of God's Word! Josh provides weekly encouragement and ideas that go beyond just rote memorization (repeating over and over). Learn how to internalize and apply the Bible in your life like never before!