What a privilege and stewardship belongs to those who know the true meaning of Easter! May we never stray from the hope and promise that we find in our risen Savior. And may we always proclaim, by word and by practice, the gospel of our Lord Jesus, "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures".
For my Easter thoughts this year I would like to share several contrasting images that we can see in this wondrous of stories. My thoughts will focus on those days immediately surrounding His crucifixion and resurrection. By no means will this be a complete list of those things we might find contrasting one another.
Jesus washing the feet of those who would deny Him.
One who betrayed and One who was faithful.
Breakers of promises and One who kept His.
Those who fell away and One who said, "Thy will be done".
Men sleeping in the garden and One praying fervently.
Those coming to seize and arrest and One ready to go willingly.
A crown of thorns for the King of Kings.
Those without authority given the same to crucify the Son of God.
No guilt found in Him but mine taken by Him.
Sinners shouting "Crucify, crucify Him" and the sinless One saying, "Father forgive them".
Those who hung on a cross for breaking the law and One hanging with them Who had fulfilled the Law.
A mother grieving the cruel punishment of her Son and His Father forsaking Him.
A Man dying for the sins of His mother, the one who gave Him life.
A Man committing His mother into His best friend's hands while committing His Spirit into those of His Father.
Barabas and Jesus.
The sinless One paying the wages of sin.
A hardened thief and a repentant thief.
Two lives that were taken and One that was given.
The One who knew no sin becoming sin for those who know it so well.
Two men dying because of their sins and One Man dying for the sins of the world.
The death of One resulting in life to many.
Life coming through death.
An occupied and sealed tomb becomes an open and empty one.
My sins credited to Jesus and His righteousness credited to me.
Ascended but coming again!
Preparing a place in Heaven for me while living in me and preparing me for that place with Him.
As we "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ", may our life overflow with love and obedience to the One who died on Calvary's cross, "the just for the unjust". May the power of the resurrection cause us "to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord" and to live lives that are marked by a "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ". May the name of Jesus be glorified!
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