It seems like just yesterday, the whole world was busy with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. We sang songs about a baby in a manger, Joy to the World, and many more. It feels like just yesterday we were putting away Christmas trees and trying to find places for the gifts that we probably really don't need.—celebrating the most expensive Holiday ever. Yet, we downplay the importance of the FREE gift born 2020 plus years ago. The world tends to forget that the reason for the season is baby Jesus. We should be celebrating because of the birth of the baby born to save us. And now, we get ready to celebrate this baby's life and ministry on earth and His death. Yet, He is indeed not dead.
While yes, the birth story of Jesus is a miracle in itself, Easter to me is even more special. I feel the world has tried to take ownership of Easter and has downplayed its importance in our lives. It becomes another Holiday where we overpay retail stores for gifts, candy, and baskets. But we forget who paid the ultimate cost of them all and for all.
This is a personal opinion, but Christians must reclaim these two holidays!
As we enter the most life-changing week in history, let us reflect on how and why it is so. We have modernized and made it about bunnies and chocolate when it is about a Cross and poured out Blood. Chocolate won't save your soul, honey. Chocolate is great... JESUS is BETTER.
While the whole Bible points to the man that would come to be our Savior, there is something about those words in red. The days that Jesus walked this earth, knowing how it would inevitably end. As it begins with a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, it also ends as a victorious, life-altering resurrection from death to life.
What beings as a bite out of an apple and the fall of man that leads to eternal death and despair ends with the ability to rise with our Savior in heaven in pure paradise. Read with me this week about our Savior.
I invite you to not take this week lightly, to stop downplaying the importance of what this cross and blood means. What the name of Jesus means to you. Not just today, not just Easter Sunday, but everyday of your life. Becuse of these Words in red:
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. Mark 8:34-35
He died for you... so you could live. Believing this is a choice we all must make in our lifetime. This is the Good News of the Easter story, not bunnies and chocolates.
Palm Sunday
The Sunday before the resurrection of Jesus. He makes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Where people lined the streets with Palm leaves as Jesus rode in on a donkey with shouts of 'Hosana.'
Matthew 21:1-11 Mark 11:1-11 Luke 19:28-42 John 12:12-19
Holy Monday
Jesus cleans the temple and overturns tables because of the worship of idols. Could you imagine what He would do nowadays? He would be doing more than flipping tables, he'd be flipping entire homes and buildings!
Matthew 21:12-22 Mark 11:15-26 Luke 19:43-48 John 12:13-22
Holy Tuesday
Today is when we meditate on the teaching and parables from Jesus.
Matthew 21:23-22:46 Mark 11:27-13:37 Luke 20:1-47 John 12:23-50
Spy Wednesday
The day that Judas confirms plans to betray Jesus by receiving 30 pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:3-16 Mark 14:1-11 Luke 22:1-6 John 13:21-30
Maunday Thursday
Jesus shares a meal with His disciples and washes their feet before Judas' betrayal and Jesus' arrest.
Matthew 26:17-30 Mark 14:12-50 Luke 22:7-65 John 13:1-18:27
Good Friday
This is the day we reflect on Jesus' crucifixion and death
Matthew 27:1-54 Mark 14:55-15:39 Luke 22:66-23:48 John 18:28-19:37
Holy Saturday
A day to wait and reflect; life is coming!
Matthew 27:55-66 Mark 15:40-47 Luke 23:50-56 John 19:38-42
Easter Sunday: HE IS RISEN ✝️
He is risen, just as He said He would. A day to reflect on the fact that Jesus' TOMB IS EMPTY! A day of ultimate Hope for all who believe in the Good News of this day.
Matthew 28:1-10 Mark 16:1-8 Luke 24:1-12 John 20:1–21:25
This reading can be tough to get through, especially reading about what Jesus endured not only on the cross but the week leading up to His death. He endured more in his last week of life than many do in their entire lives. He was stressed to the point of bleeding through the pores in His skin. He experienced excruciating pain, heartache, temptation, betrayal, and death by Asphyxiation. He willingly did this for you, for me, and I hope you read this as a story about the One who loves you unconditionally—seeing this as a story of Hope and Love.
If you are a visual person, try watching The Passion of The Christ. I will warn you, it is graphic, but watching it in real life has no comparison. It is an excellent visual representation in a cinematic format, and I believe it is something that everyone should watch once in their life. And if it doesn't hit you in any way, you might consider evaluating why.
I encourage you to find a Church home for a Good Friday and Easter service. Spend some time this week reading and meditating on the words in red and the life of your Savior.
Seek Him this week. I guarantee He is waiting for you to return home with wide-open arms.
The tomb is empty, don't leave Him empty-handed.
Comments