As I was walking through the grocery store, I saw the aisles of Easter candy filled with bunnies, bright colors and eggs, and nowhere did I see anything about Jesus. I was taken back as I realized how much our society has completely made Easter about gifts and candy when it's really about the greatest thing that has ever happened to mankind. Jesus overcame death on this day and was returned to life — miraculous isn't it? So why don't we talk about it more? I realized people need to be reminded of why we are celebrating in the first place, in fact why we celebrate all of Holy Week, because it is truly amazing when you think about it.
It all starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus’ triumphant return to Jeruselum is celebrated and welcomed back with crowds upon crowds of people worshipping him and laying palms at His feet. This was one of the greatest joys in all of Jesus’ life and people were falling to worship Him with all of their being. Now, although Jesus is not riding into our towns on a donkey where we can physically worship at His feet, we can welcome Him into our lives in the same way. Especially this week, we can show Him the ultimate praise that He wholly deserves.
On Holy Thursday, after knowing His fate, Jesus has His last supper with His apostles. This was a special time where they were able to share in the body and blood of Christ. Can you imagine? Sitting with Christ at dinner and sharing bread and wine with Him on His last night? I can’t even fathom it. Now, although Jesus isn’t sitting at our tables where we can physically share food with Him, we can take on the mindset to live every day like it is our last. To cherish the relationships and love that we have here on Earth and to enjoy your friends and family like you won’t see them tomorrow. What a life we could live if we all lived in this way.
Then comes Good Friday, the day of the biggest tragedy ever to occur. Jesus is summoned to be crucified on this cross. He has to endure a long journey carrying the cross of his fate: death. After going through excruciating pain, Jesus’ life ended with his final breath as he hung on the cross. The most amazing thing that comes out of this is that Jesus had the power to take himself off of the cross, but he chose not to. He chose to suffer and die for the sake of our sins. Now, Jesus is not here physically dying — we are called to die to self on the daily. If He loves us that incredibly to endure death in the most excruciating way, we owe it to Him to die to ourself in a way for others as well. This is hard, I know. It wasn’t easy for Jesus to go through that for us on the cross, and it isn’t always going to be easy to love others in the same way. It’s difficult, but definitely possible; it is up to you.
Ending with Easter Sunday three days later, there was the most miraculous thing that has occurred in all of history: the resurrection of Christ. Jesus overcame death. The stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. How insane. This proved the true amount of power Christ had here on Earth. The biggest celebration known to man. The good news was spread throughout all of creation and was known for thousands of years to come. Now, we don’t physically see the empty tomb, but we can celebrate and be joyful in the biggest way. Jesus is alive, y’all! We can spread the good news to everyone we know, go tell it on the mountain! Jesus is Lord and He has overcome the grave!
You can enjoy your Easter candy and visit from the Easter bunny, but when it comes down to it, let us remember the reason we are celebrating anyways. Jesus suffered for you and your sins, but he overcame the grave; let us be joyful and rejoice in the fact we have such a gracious God who loves us so mightily!
