Let me wish you a Happy Easter. In memorial of “Holy Week” as some churches call it, (the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday); I started reading the book of John. I wanted to refresh myself in the story I’ve known all my life- the Easter story, Jesus’s story. My daughter is 4, so more than ever Easter has become about Easter egg hunts and bunnies and all kinds of silly things, which have their place here and there.
As I am reading, one thing stands out to me more than ever before. Jesus loves ME and He gave His life for ME. I know the story inside and out; I grew up in church. As various heartaches have happened in my life as I have grown into adulthood, I have gotten distracted from the personal side of the Bible. When did I forget that that Jesus is personal? Jesus came and died for us- me and you. Yes, the whole world. But it’s also intimate- He died for me. For you. Underneath the hype of Easter, is the message that you and I are loved by our Heavenly Father, enough that His Son died a painful, suffering death for us on the cross. We celebrate that He is more powerful than death, and on Easter Sunday morning, He rose.
As you go into this weekend, I’m sure it will be busy with family and crowded Easter services. But please just let that thought resonate in your mind- that Jesus’ sacrifice is personal, and He makes our lives here on Earth worth living. This is what we try to help our clients at HopeQuest learn and remember, so they can take it with them when they leave our program. Only God can make lasting change in someone’s life.
If you’re interested, the book, Vinegar Boy, was a great read. It takes a look at Easter from a different perspective; it brings a freshness to the story that you may know by heart.
Happy Easter!
Sam