Come to think of it, I don’t want Easter Sunday to be just another ordinary day...
Dare 2 Share - Quick as a bunny, the Easter season approaches. Lots of commotion, chocolate, and church services. What does all this mean?
To some, it’s one of two Sundays during the year to go to church (the other being Christmas time)
To others, it is spending time with family and taking lots of pictures.
To many, it is just another weekend. Oh perhaps there may be a vague recognition of rabbits, redemption, and relatives- but overall Easter is just another day on the calendar.
Come to think of it, I don’t want Easter Sunday to be just another ordinary day- because it isn’t! Yet how does one go about preparing for that day? I personally believe that the key to experiencing the resurrected Jesus this weekend is to focus on the crucified Christ this week.
How? Well, there’s lots of ways actually.
You can read through the crucifixion accounts in the gospels (Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, and John 18-20)
You could attend a Good Friday service at a local church.
You could rent or borrow the “Jesus Film” and watch Jesus’ trials and eventual execution.
Or you could start this week off by reading an interview I had with the Roman soldier who stood at the foot of the cross. Hope this helps!
Lane: You’ve obviously been at many executions, what made Christ’s death any different than the others?
Soldier: That’s simple, when Jesus Christ was executed on our behalf, the cross took on a new significance. There the Savior made peace with us through His blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1). He made it possible for us to escape the judgment of an eternity in hell and be reconciled to God. Also, the amazing thing to me was that even in dying, Christ was teaching us how to live. Instead of crying out for mercy or pardon like most people, Jesus was uttering to us profound lessons on life.
Lane: Do you remember what He said?
Soldier: Of course I do- how can you forget the last words of a dying man!
Lane: True- but what did you learn from His last words?
Soldier: He said:"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). If Jesus could forgive His killers, who could we NOT forgive?
He said: "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Salvation is by faith alone- available to anyone.
He said: "Woman, behold your Son! . . . Behold your mother!" (John 19:26,27). He showed us that our own needs should not overshadow the needs of others.
He cried out: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34) To be separated from our God is the most painful experience in the world.
He said. "I thirst" (John 19:28). These words remind us that Jesus was fully human, and can relate to our needs.
He said "It is finished" (John 19:30). He told us that salvation is completely paid for- there is nothing we can do to earn or deserve heaven- He did the work.
He said: "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit" (Luke 23:46). In our suffering, we can completely trust God
Lane: So what difference should Jesus’ execution make in our lives?
Soldier: Simple, as we focus on what Jesus did for us on the cross, we will be completely humbled. Our feeble efforts are nothing; His work is everything! The cross is the reminder that He paid the ultimate price because of love. My whole life was completely changed after that day. He died for me, I’ll live for Him…
Well, I guess he pretty much summed it up.
Questions:
(1) Have I ever thanked Jesus for loving me so much that He suffered and died on the cross to save me?
(2) Do I have any friends who don't know what Jesus did for them? How can I remedy that?
Jesus died for me so that I can live for Him.
