When I was growing up there were a series of children’s books called You Are There – a few became TV movies. They took kids back to historic events and embedded them in the moment.

The next four days of Holy Week are often overshadowed by the preparations for Easter.  But without them, there would be no reason to celebrate Easter, would there?  There is an old hymn –Were You There? that brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it.

This week- will you go there?

Thursday – Will you sit in the Upper Room and be shocked when Jesus bathes your feet, and then claims the bread and wine are Him? Will you shake your head in disbelief when Judas leaves the table?

Will you stay awake one hour and pray Thursday night into Friday morning?

Friday– will you picture yourself in the crowd as they shout for Barabbas to be spared. Will you weep silent tears when you see the crown of thorns trickle blood down His brow and watch as he skins his knees on the rocks carrying the cross?

Will you hold Mary as she watches her son die the most excruciating death possible, and then listen as He asks God to forgive us all. Will you smell the sweat and blood, and hear the clank of the lots as the soldiers gamble for his robe and sneer at him?

Saturday – as you rush around getting the last ingredients you need for Easter , iron the Easter dress, mow the grass so for the Easter Egg Hunt, or clean the church and plant the flowers, will you take a moment and remember the disciples as they huddled in sorrow and disbelief in the Upper Room  waiting for the soldiers to come, drag them away and crucify them as well?

Then Easter morning, you may be even more ready to rejoice and proclaim the greatest miracle of all –

HE

IS

RISEN!!!