Each Easter I like to take time to reflect on the true meaning of it all and try to imagine what Jesus was going through during this week. I also reflect on how Mary must have felt watching her son go through such inhumane suffering and ultimately giving His life for us (including her) on the cross. Part of what I do is read from the book The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel pages 194-200 from the chapter “The Medical Evidence.” This chapter describes in detail each part of Jesus’ suffering and how death by crucifixion physically occurs. I encourage you to buy this book and learn the physical agony and all the medically described symptoms and process that Jesus went through. During this week, Jesus suffered in every aspect—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—all for us!
I also reflect on Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) God’s Discipline Proves His Love
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
When we say “The Joy of the Lord is my strength,” (Nehemiah 8:10 NLT) we are reminded of the joy that Jesus had inside of Him to get Him through such horrible process of external and internal pain. He knew the everlasting present that He was working toward—all of us in eternity with Him. The joy of knowing that is what kept Him going. He remained focused on the ultimate prize. Now, our part is to simply accept His free gift of salvation and love Him back for what He did.
Lastly, I want to reflect on the power of the resurrection. The Bible says that the SAME power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power we each have inside through the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:19 (NLT), Paul says, “I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
So today I leave you not with the sad news that Jesus died but with the good news that Jesus rose again by God’s power and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is waiting for each of us who believe in Him and who have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. God sent Jesus to die for us because of His unending love for us. I will leave you with these Scriptures from 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT) “There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” Romans 8:37-38 (NLT) “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.”
Happy Easter to all my dear friends and family in Christ!