Easter...

Let me tell you a Story.

This story is in the scriptures… If you look there … where truth is found, you see that on the Sunday before the Resurrection, commonly called Palm Sunday, the people were filled with excitement about Jesus.  They believed he was going to become their earthly king and would save them from Roman rule.

Jesus rode a donkey into the city of Jerusalem on that day, and the people laid down clothes and palm branches on the road for the donkey to walk on, worshiping and crying Hosannah.

Monday, the day following, Jesus drove the money changers from the temple, cleansing the temple.

On Tuesday, He taught in the temple and faced intense confrontation from the religious leaders there.

Wednesday was the day Mary anointed him with oil in the home of Simon the leper.

On that Thursday during the time of Passover, Jesus and his disciples gathered in the Upper Room where they ate, and Jesus washed their feet during their time there.   Judas left to arrange to have Jesus’ betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. 

That evening Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed in deep anguish.

Later that night Judas led the soldiers to Him.  He kissed Jesus on the cheek to identify Him.

On Friday, the people who had praised him were nowhere to be seen.  His disciples scattered out of fear.  Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of blasphemy and of causing rebellion against Rome.

However the Jewish leaders were determined to get rid of Him, and following their lead, the mob demanded that Jesus be crucified.

Pilate ultimately gave in to the pressure of the crowd, and Jesus was sentenced to be scourged and crucified.

Crucifixion was the most brutal and humiliating form of torture, designed to cause excruciating pain for days, waiting for death to come.

After being mercilessly beaten and mocked, Jesus was forced to carry His cross toward Golgotha.  Weak and suffering, with his arms bound to the crossbeam, probably weighing 100 pounds, Jesus fell under the weight 3 times with nothing to break his fall, and with the cross crashing down on top of his back.  Simon of Cyrene was ordered to help him carry it.

The whip was made with pieces of iron on each leather thong along with sharp bones and glass.  After only a few lashes, the depths of the cuts would reach into muscle tissue.

A crown of thorns was pushed down into his head.  He was nailed to the cross with iron spikes through His wrists and His feet.  Each breath required Him to push against His wounds with excruciating pain.

Finally after about 6 hours on the cross, Jesus spoke His final words, “It is finished” and bowing his head, He died.

The Romans also usually discarded the bodies—not burying them.  Joseph of Arimathea was a secret follower of Jesus, but he was also a member of the Sanhedrin council, and because of this office he was able to get permission from Pilate to take Jesus’ body.

Joseph and the others wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloth, prepared it for burial, and put Him in Joseph’s own tomb.  A large stone was rolled over the entrance.

Thank God, that’s not the end of the story.  On the third day, Jesus arose—alive and whole, the Son of God.

And THAT’S what Easter is REALLY about.

How much did Jesus love us?

Enough to go through all that suffering… and die… for us.

In centuries past, blood sacrifices were required to atone for the sins of the people, and the blood of animals was used.  This was done at the temple, and it was required under the old law.

But Jesus became the final, and perfect sacrifice.  He took our sins upon Himself, suffered and gave His own blood so we could be forgiven.

He then arose from that grave, being raised back to Heaven.  He made a way for us to have eternal life with Him.

This is the truth we know as Easter.

This is only a tiny overview of the history; it is recorded in each of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and I recommend reading those accounts for fascinating details.

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Yes, we look forward to Easter for the family gatherings; children look for the Easter bunny, for egg hunts, and treats.  It’s a day we use to celebrate and enjoy traditions, creating wonderful memories. 

I have great memories of Easter holidays when I was a child, filled with all those things.  I also have memories as an adult, helping the children have fun, and I hope my children have those good memories as well.

But we do need to give priority to the true meaning of Easter.  Jesus, God’s son, died an agonizing death and rose again— and He did it all because He chose us, and He loves us.

The one most important thing we can do is accept His love, and choose to follow Him.  And I’m so thankful we have the great privilege of speaking directly to Him.

We are not promised another day, or another single minute on this earth.  But if we choose to receive His love, He forgives us of our sins, and his Holy Spirit helps us live a new life. 

We can not truly imagine the actual suffering Jesus endured—but He did it so we could be forgiven and have a way to heaven.

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It’s a New Dawning of a New Day.  Let’s live for God and allow Him to bless our lives.

Will we ever be perfect? No.  But we are forgiven, and God’s Holy Spirit is right here with us, helping us live each day.

Will life always go smoothly? No.  But we have someone on our side that understands us, and loves us, no matter what.  And He hears us when we pray.  Prayer can cause mountains to move in our favor.

Love and Blessings to you, and may you feel God’s Love this Easter Season resting upon you and on your family.  Every year, my husband says, “Can you feel that?  That’s the Easter wind.”  He truly feels the blessing of it in the air. He says the earth still remembers…

As your family celebrates together, remember to thank God for sending His Son who made a way for us to have eternal life with Him.

Thank you for reading.

Sharon