Easter

21 April 2011

Mark 15:24-25 And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him.

Today throughout the western Church a time is spent celebrating the night of the Last Supper, some call it Maundy Thursday, others Tenebrae. It is a time of reflection of how all the disciples abandoned Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and He had to face His trial and crucifixion. The worship service reflects the celebration of the Passover meal, the time of prayer in the garden, followed by the flight of the disciples.

Good Friday is a time of introspection where we consider how many times we have abandoned Christ in the ways we have lived and in what we have said and done, and the great pain, humiliation, brutality and rejection that Jesus had to endure, finally death. In His suffering and death He carried the burdens of our sin, and took upon Himself the complete wrath of God that we may have eternal life with Him. Even so, we betray Him, through our lack of love, lack of repentance and lack of faith. The One who was rejected will not reject us, He bore our sufferings and our pains that we may have life with Him.

On the third day He rose, and with His resurrection so we are resurrected with Him into eternal life. No hell will prevail, for we are His, He bought us with His life, He claims us to be His own.

Be encouraged today to celebrate Easter in the fullness of Gods love, knowing that Jesus did it all for you.

David

Point to ponder: Easter is about what God has done for you.

Question to consider: Do you celebrate Easter as a holy time?