When you think of Easter, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s pastel-colored eggs, bright flowers, colorful shirts and dresses, and chocolate candy. Winter is finally exiting the building, and there’s a collective sense of shaking off the cold and welcoming the warmth. In today’s world, Easter is pretty, sweet, clean, and nice. But is that what Easter is really about? Honestly, this is a far cry from the actual reason we celebrate the holiday. Even that word “celebrate” can seem strange. Of course, Easter Sunday should be one of the most joyous celebrations humanity has ever known, but our celebration can sometimes feel disconnected from reality. As believers, we do a great job of rejoicing in the resurrection, but sometimes, we leave off the part where we find out what Jesus was resurrected from. It’s easy to never talk about the pain, the suffering, the horror, or the deep truth of HOW we get to Easter Sunday. We just go through the motions. We put on some nice clothes, show up to church, and then go home and have some ham. (Now, no one here is complaining about the ham.) It’s almost as if we’re asleep, and if we could just wake up, we could rejoice more fully in what Jesus has done for us.
BUT WHAT IF WE COULD WAKE UP?
WHAT IF WE COULD UNDERSTAND THE FULL STORY, THE
HOW AND WHY, OF JESUS’ JOURNEY FROM THE MANGER
TO THE CROSS?
Instead of just pastel-colored eggs, we’d see the bread and wine. Instead of just fancy hats, we’d see a crown of thorns. Instead of Easter baskets, we’d see a heavy cross. Instead of being asleep, our souls would be awakened to the love of God. That’s our prayer for you this Easter. That you would be awakened to the reality and truth of all that Jesus has done for you.
(Click on the "DAY #" for that day's full devotion.)