Another time, another meal
Easter afternoon we’ll join our son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters for dinner in their home—with six other guests.
E. and H. have planned a Georgian feast, based on traditional dishes from the Eastern European country of Georgia. (Did you know that 85% of that nation’s population are Christian? I certainly didn’t.)
Each family or single person attending this celebration has been given a recipe, so we’ll be able to sample eight different dishes of this new cuisine. And because of the many delicious meals we’ve enjoyed with E. and H., we know:
Within the warm ambiance of their home and the congenial atmosphere as we converse and laugh together, each of our individual concerns will recede to the background. In their place, joy, contentedness, and peace (shalom) will settle upon our spirits.
By contrast, the Passover feast that Jesus celebrated with his disciples, the night before his crucifixion, held little joy or peace for him. In fact, the Apostle John wrote, “Jesus was troubled in spirit” [1].
He knew what would happen that night and into the next day: the pain of betrayal, scourging [2], a crown of thorns thrust on his head, mockery, the crucifixion, and separation from his Father.
The plan had already been set in motion, when Judas approached the chief priests and officers of the temple guard to discuss how—for a price—he might hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present [3].
Under these stressful circumstances Jesus stated to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” [4].
The Amplified Version adds: “Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.”
But if Jesus was troubled in his own spirit, how could he promise his peace to the disciples? How could he tell them not to be troubled?
The answer lies in his confidence in his Father. Though fully aware of the suffering to come, Jesus displayed confidence in the purpose and power of his Father and moved forward unhesitatingly to meet the pending crisis [5].
Consider his demeanor over the next eighteen hours or so. Jesus conducted himself with calm quietude from the moment of his arrest to his last breath on the cross. God did indeed supply courage and strength for every torment.
This is the nature of the peace Christ gives to all of us who trust in him [6].
But how do we avail ourselves of this precious gift? (And for those of us who are familiar with these ways to peace, how well are we implementing them?)
Get to know God in his Word.
We considered one way in the post, “Celebrating God in the Psalms.” So many of his attributes and gracious actions are highlighted in these ancient songs.
No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.
–Croft M. Pentz
Practice his presence.
Possibilities include expressing gratitude, speaking simple prayers throughout the day, and singing worship songs.
Be quick to praise God.
You’ll find your cares reduced and your anxieties lessened. The result: expanded peace.
Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind.
–Max Lucado, Mocha with Max, 82
Come Sunday, our son and daughter-in-law’s home will provide a splendid place of refuge and peace—for a few hours.
How glorious to contemplate that Christ’s refuge and peace is much more splendorous, much more impactful, and for all time!
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for enduring unimaginable suffering in order to restore our relationship with God and provide the gift of eternal life. Now you are our Lord of peace, ready to give us peace at all times and in every way. You ARE indeed worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!
1 Peter 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Revelation 5:12
[1] John 13:21
[2] A flogging, inflicted with a whip of leather straps imbedded with pieces of metal and glass, meant to rip into the flesh. Such a brutal beating often led to death.
[3] Luke 22:1-6
[4] John 14:27
[5] Merrill Tenney, www.preceptaustin.org
[6] Colossians 3:15
Image credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.canva.com (3); http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.flickr.com.
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A blessed and glorious Easter to you and yours, Nancy! May God’s peace fill your hearts and minds on Easter and always. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. I pray the same for you, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful reflections of our Lord and Savior. I wish you a joyous Easter with your family, Nancy. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. I pray you also enjoy a joyous Easter. Will you be able to join with your family?
Thank you, Nancy. I did enjoy a joyous Easter at my daughter’s house with our entire family. Praise the Lord for He has risen! 🙏
Happy Easter! I know you and your family and all those present will enjoy celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Shalom.
Indeed we will, Linda. May you also enjoy blessed celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Shalom to you as well!
Thank you, Nancy, and Happy Easter to you and your family!
You’re welcome, Debbie. May you also enjoy a happy Easter. Will you be able to gather with your family?
Thank you! Yes, we are hosting, what a blessing!
I am focusing on Sunday and the hope of resurrection but found this year to experience the sorrow of Jesus more and more this Holy week than even before. Been a solemn week in fact. Looking forward to Sunday!! Easter Blessings to you, Nancy!
I pray the hope, joy, and shalom of Easter lift your spirit, dear friend!
My sentiments are similar to yours, Jean. My heart aches for the way Jesus was treated back then, as well as in these days when He is blasphemed and ridiculed. Praise the Lord for the Grace He showed by His sacrifice. Happy Easter to you. He Arose! For that we celebrate!
Beautiful post emphasizing the great sacrifice Jesus made for us; none of us are worthy of the Grace and huge price He paid. Easter Blessings as you gather with your loved ones.
Once again I’m reminded of a hymn, “I Am Not Worthy.” Perhaps you remember it too. It’s a great hymn to be singing today, this Saturday before Easter. These are the lyrics of the first verse and chorus: “I am not worthy the least of His favor, but Jesus left heaven for me; the Word became flesh and He died as my Savior, forsaken on dark Calvary. I am not worthy, this dull tongue repeats it; I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it. Jesus left heaven to die in my place–what mercy, what love, and what grace.” I picture you gathering with your extended family tomorrow, Cheri. May you also enjoy loving togetherness and laughter!
That is one of my most favorite hymns, Nancy. It’s been going through my head all week; both the music and words are lovely and illustrate His love for us. I also have a nice piano arrangement. It will just be Mom and me and one of my nieces but it will be so nice. I’m wondering what you will be fixing to take to your exotic Easter dinner?
Troubled in spirit and yet peace in our spirit much like Jesus. Jesus was troubled in spirit because he knew what was going to happen. Yet he has peace in knowing that he would soon rejoin the Father in heaven.
Exactly, Matt! Thank you for your added insight. Trouble and peace can coexist in the same heart. To be troubled is obviously not a sin. But if we allow it to lead us away from faith and obedience, then we veer into unrighteousness. What we’re meant to do is take our trouble to God, just as Christ did in the garden.
Wonderful post for Easter! God wants us to have His peace at all times. When we focus on God and turn everything over to Him, we find hope in the midst of tribulation.
Amen, Linda–praise God for his hope and peace! It’s not that he always removes the trouble, but the peace, comfort, and strength of God’s presence makes it possible to press on (Philippians 4:13).
Nancy,
Peace that we should not have is the Lord’s proof He is present. That’s right the first Easter dinner was stressful and difficult but the Lord served and saved. Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
All praise to our Savior who serves and saves us today as well. (I like those two verbs together, Gary!) I pray you enjoyed a celebratory Easter with your family!
Oh, the peace that only God can give!Easter blessings, Nancy! He is risen✝️
Amen, Pam. I can’t imagine doing life without his shalom steadying my spirit. We did enjoy a glorious Easter. The dinner I looked forward to in this post is now an unforgettable memory. Not only did we revel in fabulous food (a four-hour, four course dinner based on the Georgian Supra feast) but interesting conversation interspersed with a few readings, poetry, and even singing together. I picture you surrounded by those three adorable grandchildren–maybe even a bit of fun in the Sunshine Cottage!
Sounds wonderful, Nancy! Our 4th grandchild was born in February. Our son and daughter-in-love now have 2 boys and 2 girls. Praise the Lord for His blessings!
I’d forgotten about that 4th grandchild, Pam. What fun! And another little one to introduce to that cottage!
That is one of my most favorite hymns, Nancy. It’s been going through my head all week; both the music and words are lovely and illustrate His love for us. I also have a nice piano arrangement. It will just be Mom and me and one of my nieces but it will be so nice. I’m wondering what you will be fixing to take to your exotic Easter dinner?
That’s the perfect hymn to meditate upon during Passion Week, Cheri. I pray you enjoyed a lovely, peaceful Easter with your mother and niece. As for our Georgian dinner, you can read a few details in my response to Pam above. Our contribution was a tomato/cucumber salad with onion and garlic, topped with a walnut dressing. (Steve ground the walnuts with a mortar and pestle.) It was delicious! The recipe is definitely a keeper!
That salad sounds delicious! Do you think you could email me the recipe? It sounds like everything I love in a salad. I may add celery! And anything with onion and garlic is a winner! Tomorrow we go to great-niece Dacota and Jonah’s and their four little ones for our monthly meal with them. This month it can be a way to stretch out the Easter celebration. Have a great and blessed week, dear friend.
I sent you the link to the recipe via FB msg, Cheri. Forgot to mention another key ingredient that adds a lot of flavor: cilantro! I trust you had a glorious (exhausting?!) time with Dacota’s children!
I hope your time with E and H, and their guests, was wonderful. You bring up such a great point–the shalom of Jesus far surpasses whatever we will encounter in this world. He went through horrific treatment to die a death He didn’t have to, but chose to out of love for us. Considering that great and gracious love boggles my mind, especially when I consider what the cost was to Him. That He could even seek forgiveness for us as He looked down at those who had condemned Him is bigger than I can wrap my head around. Thanks for the reminder that His peace is far greater than anything hurtful or harmful that can be done to us on earth.
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt, meditative thoughts, Dayle. As you say, the love that compelled him to die for us a horrific death does truly boggle the mind. Yet mindful we should be! May we never neglect to praise him for his love, mercy, and grace.