I've already complained about my disappointing Easter with family last Saturday. The day just didn't turn out like I hoped that it would. : /
My oldest child, E, has often said that Easter is her favorite holiday. I wonder if she would still say that after this most recent Easter? Knowing E, she probably would, because she has the proper attitude about what makes Easter a day for rejoicing.
It's not about bunnies or fluffy chicks. It's not about a scrumptious meal. It's not even about spending quality time with family.
Easter is all about Jesus. Without His sacrificial death on the cross, without His resurrection, Easter is just another Sunday in spring. Without Jesus at the center of the celebration, Easter is nothing more than an excuse to buy fancy new clothes, hunt for colorful plastic eggs filled with trinkets, and gorge on milk chocolate rabbits.
G and I were blessed to worship at a sorrowfully beautiful Good Friday service and an equally beautiful and joyous Easter morning service at our church. In both instances, the music, scriptures, and message helped us to focus directly on Jesus. On Easter morning there was no ambiguity, no false exultation in the glories of spring in nature -- the birth of tiny lambs or the chirps of baby robins. Instead, every aspect of the worship service proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Risen Lord and Savior of the world.
I'm thankful that G and I attend a church that is focused on Jesus -- worshiping Him, serving Him, making Him known. But more importantly, I am thankful for Jesus. He willingly paid the penalty for my sin; He died the death that I deserve. His love and sacrifice for me is a gift beyond measure, worthy of my eternal gratitude.
No comments:
Post a Comment