I always went to church growing up. We went to church regularly, but I don't think anything really stuck with me. Easter is this coming Sunday! I know what Easter is and means, but I don't think that I REALLY know what it all included. I knew that Easter was the day the Lord rose from the dead...but that was about it to be honest. At Bible study this week we watched "Passion of the Christ". I had seen it before and had felt the raw truth from it and just how serious that all was, but I can't definitely say that it didn't change me in anyway. But this time was definitely much different than the first time I watched it. Not only was it an emotional time for me, but it really shook my little world. Jesus suffered so much just to save me. He saved me and he saved you. It's not a simple thing... its actually the biggest thing ever! During the times that Jesus was getting beaten, I couldn't help but get mad. Like REALLY mad. I wanted to jump in the T.V. and do something about it. But that is not the appropriate response. The guards that whipped him, those that nailed him to the cross are people just like me. I am no different than them. We are all equal in the Lord's eyes and all fall short of His glory.
It really shook me how much Jesus suffered. He did all of it just so we could spend eternity with His father. That is the ultimate sacrifice... and something I forget about on Easter. Not only that... but Friday, Good Friday, is when Jesus was actually hung to die. I think that gets forgotten about. Good Friday is when all of the prophecies were coming true and Jesus was going to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Good Friday needs to be a bigger deal I think because it is the biggest deal.
I think this process of really understanding what Easter is, means, and does in the world has radically rocked my boat. I think of Jesus in a different way. I think of grace and God's beauty in a different way. It makes me think about the cross I wear around my neck in a different way. I'm learning that God is all powerful and the all powerful God loves me. Its so simple, yet so completely complex that I can't even fully understand it. I'm just amazed by God this week and can't stop talking about it. I want everyone to know the love I feel from the Lord and how truly incredible having a relationship with Him is.
God has fulfilled His ultimate promise and because Jesus was hung on the cross I get to live free in God's grace and have eternal life. How cool is that?!
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34
No comments:
Post a Comment