Easter is almost here.
For some, the Easter season reminds us that Spring has come. The bleak cold winter has passed, and we see life beginning to bloom around us. Trees that looked dead are turning green with foliage. The sun peeks through our windows early in the morning, inviting us to experience its warmth.
I love the Spring season. Everything about it revives Hope within me. Followers of Christ also relish the Hope the Easter season brings.
In just a few days, pastors and priests (throughout the world) will proclaim with joy the words: “Christ is risen!” And parishioners will confirm this reality with enthusiastic voices by responding: “Christ is risen, indeed!”
Those words connect us deeply with the Hope we need and have—because of Jesus.
However, Easter is not here yet.
As much as we long for the joy of Easter, we cannot—and must not—rush past the dark and bleak event we call GOOD FRIDAY. Good Friday is the Christian holy day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, the DARKEST—and MOST IMPORTANT day of history.
It was the Apostle Paul who wrote:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures...” (1 Cor. 15:3) [Emphasis mine]
Rushing to Easter without remembering the terrible anguish of the cross encourages us to miss the importance of GOOD FRIDAY: It was my sins that placed Jesus on the cross!
Max Lucado’s perspective is worth noting:
“On the eve of the cross, Jesus made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than heaven without you!”
As much as I want to rush to Easter, I do not want to forget: Because of Jesus, suffering cannot extinguish Hope, and without the cross, there is no resurrection!
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