God is love. But sometimes, it’s hard to remember that. Between the recent terror attack in Brussels, vehement political strife and division in America, and loved ones living and dying with cancer, the question needs to be asked during this Holy Week, why do we take time to remember the life of a man who died 2000 years ago when we face so many troubles right here, right now?
In the church, we have been raised on a fundamental truth, that God is love (1 John 4:8). Because God wanted to show His vast and never-ending love to us here on Earth, He sent us the physical embodiment of His love, Jesus. This is amazing in itself: the God of Creation sent his son to Earth to dwell among us. However, more than this, God loved us so much, that He would not allow us to remain in our sins. We can see this love manifested in Jesus' death: “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus, the physical embodiment of God’s love for us died willingly for me, and for you.
It took me a while to fully understand this truth. As a child, I always liked Easter, but I never quite understood its importance. Holy Week meant that I had Good Friday and Easter Monday off, a 4 day weekend. It also meant that my mom would take me and my sister shopping to get new Easter dresses and we would take the time to curl our hair. At church on Sunday, we would have omelets for breakfast and have an Easter egg hunt and then after church, we would eat lunch at my grandparent’s house. As a young child, Jesus’ death and resurrection was a just another detail amongst the business and other activities of Easter.
As I got older, and was able to look at my life in the context of eternity, I have realized that Easter is so much more than searching for eggs and pretty new dresses. Whether you know Jesus or not, whether you choose to love and obey Him or not, He died for you. There is nothing that you can do to change that fact. “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
I gave my life to Christ on Easter Sunday 14 years ago. Though I don’t physically remember the moment, I have seen God’s faithfulness and mercy in every area of my life. He has blessed me beyond measure. When I turn away from Him, He continually seeks after me, reminding me of His everlasting love. There is not one day that passes that I find myself deserving of God’s love. I sin. I make mistakes. I fall short every day. But through grace upon grace, God has, does, and will love me forevermore. And for this I will be forever grateful.
