A blood moon for Holy Week

Last night my teen-aged daughter informed me that one of her friends thought the “blood moon” meant that Christ was returning during the dark watch of the night (see Revelation 6:12 to understand what inspired her thinking).

“That would be awesome!” I responded.

“No, she’s scared,” my daughter explained. “She doesn’t want Him to return yet. She wants to get married first.”

I instantly flashed back to college and sitting in a fast food restaurant with some friends. The topic of Christ’s return had come up, and I had sheepishly admitted that I wasn’t in a big hurry for that event, because I did want to get married and have a family.

A good friend of mine across the table looked at me as if I had horns growing out of my head, “Are you kidding?!?” he declared. “Nothing—nothing will be better! I am definitely ready!”

It was nice of him to put me in my place, because I did need to do some thinking and praying about that. After all, anything good on this earth is only an imperfect glimpse of Who God is and what He offers.

Years later, I am absolutely grateful and thrilled about my life (almost J) every day. I do not think I could have a better husband. My children are amazing gifts I do not deserve. I enjoy experiencing life with them each day, anticipating events to come, even imagining holding grandchildren in my arms in a decade or two.

But I know without question that Jesus is better. I am firmly convinced heaven is better. And if Jesus returned this week, well, there would be nothing more ecstatic as far as I’m concerned.

In fact, what a way to celebrate Holy Week: not only contemplating Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, but anticipating His return!

Instead of planning an Easter banquet, we can look forward to the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19).

Rather than deciding how much chocolate we keep for ourselves versus how much ends up in pastel baskets and plastic eggs, we can smack our lips in anticipation of total, utter completeness in Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Instead of evaluating whether churches “these days” celebrate Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, etc., as well as days gone by, we can examine our priorities, and prayerfully consider whether we’re using our lives in a way worthy of Christ’s imminent return (Psalm 90:12).

If it takes a blood moon to put Easter in perspective, to awaken a longing for heaven, so be it.

 “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).