Most people consider Christmas the biggest of Christian celebrations. I certainly agree that it is a biggie, for if our Lord had not been born, then He could not have died thirty three years later and saved us all from certain and final death.
Someone asked me today why this day, Friday, the Friday before Easter, is called Good Friday. I know that it is because on this day, the Savior of the entire world passed through the gates of death, which technically is bad. Yet, His earthly death set the stage for what was to follow. Death could not hold Him. A grave could not keep Him. Because He passed through that dark valley first, all of us who follow Him, will follow Him, first into one death (It is appointed that man shall die once), and then into a glorious life that will never end. "Death, where is thy sting?". It is Good Friday, in spite of the circumstances, because of what our Jesus' passing on that day means for the rest of us. Because He died, we will live. Because He lived, we live with Him.
Oh, what an important day Easter represents! Peter Cottontail, Peter Rabbit, new Easter outfits, and loads of chocolate! All fun stuff. But for me, Easter represents my whole reason for being. Easter means renewal, rebirth, resurrection, and life at its highest.
Because our beautiful Jesus lived, we truly live. What a concept, what love, what beauty, what truth.
Death has lost its sting, and a wonderful life awaits. We will follow Jesus through that gate of earthly death into eternal life.
We're not worthy of such as this. Yet, Jesus says we are. In spite of what we are. He loved us that much. God loves us that much.
The stone was rolled away from His tomb, and He was gone! Can you imagine His follower's reactions to this? They knew it was going to happen because He told them, but if they were anything like we are (and I have to believe they were just like us), I'm sure they had a few problems trying to process this. And then it happened! Wow, and double WOW!
Did you know there is a place in Jerusalem where you can rent a cross and follow His path up to the place where He was crucified? I wouldn't pay to rent a cross (I think that is just someone trying to make a buck) but I would love to take that walk. I would love to walk where He walked.
On the exact same roads and paths.
I doubt this will ever happen. All I can do for now is follow Him. Follow His teaching and His leading and wait for the day I will be standing in His presence at last. While I am in no hurry to die or anything, neither am I afraid of it. I have something grand to look forward to. I have Someone who is waiting for ME. Do you have this?
I hope so.
Praise God--Hallejulah--HE IS RISEN!!!
Happy Easter.
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