Arguably one of the most celebrated days of the year has come and gone, St. Patricks Day. Halloween, Cinqo de Mayo, and St. Patricks Day are three of the most celebrated "minor" or "unofficial" holidays of the year. Bars and restaurants pull out all stops, retailers hold massive sales and neighborhoods come together for mind numbing parties.
Now comes Easter. How do we celebrate Easter? Well, ladies buy new hats and dresses for themselves and their daughters. Fathers and sons get fresh haircuts, break out crisp shirts and ties. Families "do the church thing" and everyone races home for the neighborhood egg hunt and big dinner. All the while themes of Peeps, and chocolate and the ever present bunny are exposed to our children. After all, it's all about the bunny. Right?
Wrong! It's all about the lamb!
The lamb is Jesus, our resurrected Savior. So the world would ask, "why would we party on a day they killed a guy?" The answer is simple and two-fold. First, it isn't about the killing, that was the end of the beginning. It's about what happened next. "As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed." "Don't be alarmed, you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was cucified. He has risen. He is not here" Mark 16:4-6
So what's the reason for the party? Because I, my family, and many of my friends are free! The Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross and willingly laid down His life to pay for my sins and for all mankind. Why would He do this? To restore us to a loving Father, when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden it created a separation between man and God. This separation is called sin, sin and a perfect God cannot exist in the same place. Therefore man had to be restored, God made this way available to all by sending us Jesus. But sin had to be paid for in blood. "Through His blood (Jesus), we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin." But don't get carried away yet, there is one little thing necessary to have that redemption, a life changing encounter with the Lord Jesus.
How does this happen? Realize that we have fallen....and EVERYONE has fallen "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God" Romans 3:23 Admit we have fallen " Repent, or you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:5. Then place your faith in the hands of a perfect, loving God. "For if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved." Romans 10:9
That to me, is the greatest reason to celebrate, greater than ANY holiday man could ever create. How will I celebrate Easter? By worshipping Him only with all my heart, and spending the rest of the day with family and friends that, because of His resurrection, I can spend many more days and then eternity with them and with Him.
So even if it's not the most commercial success, I'll take Easter over anything
God Bless all, have a wonderful Easter
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