What Easter means to me
What Easter means to me conjures up images of love and feelings of warmth. As I prepare for Easter weekend, these feelings start to envelop my entire being. When we continue to hear a story repeatedly, it starts to lose its impact and somewhere along the way, any emotions from the story becomes diluted. The Easter and Christmas story with Jesus Christ at the centre doesn’t do that for me. Every time that I hear the story of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, it invokes feelings of warmth, humbleness, giddiness, exhilaration, and expectation.
Let us first understand why did Jesus die?
Why did Jesus die?
Jesus died to cover all the sins of the world as a sacrifice so that each of us that believe in Him can have eternal life. In ancient times, people would sacrifice animals to make amends for their sins. But the wickedness of man was just too great. In His wisdom and compassion, God sent His one and only Son into the world to live amongst men, teaching them the will of God. Jesus spent three years healing the sick, performing miracles, and sharing the love of God. In accordance with God’s plan, Jesus died for all of us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17
God loves us so much that He sacrificed His Son for our eternal life.
So what does Easter mean to me?
Easter means everything to me. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. Some days, I am ashamed of my sin, upset at my lack of discipline, and disappointed that I have failed again. Like Paul, I do the things I don’t want to do. I am baffled by the love that God bestows on me, but I am tearfully grateful for His grace.
I am a sinner saved by God’s grace.
I am a nobody that God has amazingly blessed and proclaimed me as His child. Easter is my continued reminder of His amazing love and mercy. It is a reminder that no ocean is too wide or deep that the Father can’t find me or shower His love on me. In His infinite wisdom, God knew that I couldn’t bear all of my sin and suffering required, so He provided another way for me. God is my hope, my Saviour, my Lord.
Easter to me means love. God’s love for me, for you, for us all.
Prayer
Abba Father, how beautiful You are to me. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so is Your great love for all of us who fear You. As far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our sins from us. Praise and glory to You, God, King of kings and Lord of lords. Mighty are You God who saves us from our foolishness and stubbornness. Forgive me. Thank You for Your grace, mercy and love towards us. As much as we don’t deserve, You still look at us with compassion. We fall on our knees glorifying and honouring You, heavenly Father. We thank You that Your anger never lasts forever, but your love remains the same today as it was yesterday and will be forevermore. Stir within us a heart of love so that we may show kindness, mercy and grace to our neighbour. In Jesus’ name. Amen