Mary In-Between by Dr. Lisa Burkhardt Worley
This is the day between Good Friday and Easter—the day when Jesus’s disciples and followers may have wondered Was what He said true? Will Jesus actually rise from the dead? It was difficult to know whether to be joyous or mournful. Faith would tell you to be joyous. Doubt mourns.
We also must ponder what the in-between time was like for Jesus’s mother, Mary. She had just watched her son die a cruel, undeserved death. Would she see him again? She was warned about the emotional pain this day would bring. In Luke 2:35, when Simeon blessed Jesus and his family he prophesied:
This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
Mary most likely felt the wound in her heart between Good Friday and Easter.
We have the benefit of being on this side of the resurrection, but try to imagine what it was like to be a follower of Jesus on the day after the crucifixion. How would you be feeling? Would your trust be waning? Or would you live expectantly, knowing that the grave was only temporary?
We live in the in-between now as well—the time between resurrection and return. Are we living like Jesus could return at any minute? The prophesied signs are all there, and in Matthew 24, Jesus issues a stern warning to be ready.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:42-44)
I will confess, there are days when I fail in my Christian walk, and I pray that Jesus will tarry so I can get my act together. In general, however, I try to go about life so I will not be ashamed when the trumpet blows, and the Lord of Lords and King of Kings comes back to gather His elect (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
How Mary and the disciples lived in the in-between was important. How we live in the in-between is also critical. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that we believe Jesus will return and that we will be ready when He makes His grand re-appearance.
I want to wish you a happy Easter. When I was in high school, our church choir sang “The Easter Song,” written by the late Keith Green. It is still special to me today, so here is a link to Keith Green performing his song. I hope it will be meaningful to you as well. Have a blessed celebration of our Lord’s resurrection and let’s thrive in the in-between!
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We are only two weeks from our annual Level-Up Women’s conference May 3rd from 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at VentureX in Lewisville, TX. This year, our guest speaker is Purpose Author Beth Townsend. Worship will be led by Renee Rollins. Also speaking: Lisa Burkhardt Worley, Lane Jordan Burday, Aurora Ortega Geis, Michelle Burden, Onyx Conklin, Zabbie Mikasobe, Rosemary Legrand, and Emily House. We will be leveling up purpose, leveling up pampering, and leveling down pain. The conference is covered by prayer so we know you will be blessed. Register on Eventbrite: https://2025LevelUp.eventbrite.com