His Comments

Her Comments

For all the years as a non-believer, Easter didn’t have any sort of special meaning as far as faith, God, etc. Strangely enough, it was one of my favorite days. When I was in first/second grade, we were living in a barn converted to a house in the middle of a woods. I remember we didn’t have much money at that time, and the house wasn’t well constructed, but that easter I woke up and found an Easter basket in the front room. Along with the candy, it had two GoBots! Leader-1 and Cy-Kill. That morning must have been the perfect combination of kid excitement, getting new toys, and candy happiness because to this day I remember it so fondly.

When considering how I’ve changed my views of Easter, and holy week in general, two things come to mind. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us. As a “baby” Christian, I had a smaller sense of what that meant. As I continue to study and learn, each year I’m more humbled in my faith. Two passages come to mind:

Recently I was listening to a video about holy week and the person related us, as sinners, to Barabbas. Guilty, but was allowed to live and Jesus took his place. I haven’t thought too deeply about his analogy, but it served in that moment as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It truly is humbling.

The other thing that comes to mind is “Hell”, or everlasting punishment and life eternal. I was working on my theology final and one of the questions involved eternal punishment. It was enjoyable to look through scripture and see what scripture says about end times. We see in Matthew a reference to “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In Revelation, it refers to “torment” and “the bottomless pit.” Roman’s references the “day of wrath.” Matthew helped make sense of Hell and eternal punishment:

Those last two words: “life eternal.” Thinking about that in context to John 14:6, in which Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Those that are righteous have eternal “life”, and Jesus, who is sovereign over death, is “the life.”

When thinking about what Easter means to me now, it means I have been given a grace I don’t deserve and security knowing one day I’ll be with God in Heaven. It also leaves me with purpose, to spread the gospel. God’s not willing any to perish, but that all should come to repentance. Repent, believe in the Son, and have everlasting life.

God bless.

How has Easter changed for me as I have grown in faith? My earliest memories are of baskets, presents, eggs, and candy! Slowly, the thought of the true meaning of the Holiday became known to me. Now, I am aware of the truth of the day and the meaning in my life.

Let me start off by saying that I do not think children need to be stripped from the Easter Bunny and fantasy. As a language arts teacher, I can tell you fantasy and imagination are completely lacking from today’s youth. When I was a preteen, I still made forts and used encyclopedias on the floor so that my brother and I could play “The Floor is Lava!” Now kids just pull up an app and either watch an episode of something or play a game. Kids need to have magic and fun. They need to see an Easter Egg and think, how does a bunny lay colored eggs and deliver them to me! However, just like Christmas, I believe we need to share the true story of why we celebrate these holidays. Jesus has a special place in his heart for kids and their ability to believe and trust in his word. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” We have a responsibility to explain why we celebrate these holidays, and people of all ages should celebrate.

Visiting family is also an Easter tradition. I am sad because I was sick this year, and I was unable to celebrate with either my church or biological family. I was able to take communion the week prior and that means a great deal to me. Getting together with family for food, games, and love are all wonderful ways to celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I miss my grandparents, my parents-in-laws, and my uncles who have passed. I look fondly at the family gatherings we had when I was younger. As we get older, and family members get their own families, getting together becomes less frequent. However, that does not make our love any less.

Taking time this week to think about family and friends, it is important to emphasize all are loved and cherished. It does not matter if you are in jail, living nomadically in a tent city, live in a three story home, have a doctorate, struggle with temptations of the world, or are just a person trying to survive. Thinking about the love Jesus has for us has me realizing how important it is to express the love we have for one another. John 15:12 says “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

Are they flawed? Yes. We are all flawed. About five years prior to meeting Robert, I remember saying prayers to God on holidays. I was not going to church, but found a need to thank him. On Easter, I said, “Thank you Lord for dying for me. I am sorry to have caused you pain.” I remember that being a moment of crossing from the belief of family and traditions taking the majority of the holiday’s meaning, to the true meaning.

When Robert got saved. He started to say, “We are all filth sinners.” At first, I was offended as many of you probably are when you hear this statement. The more he said it and the more I understood the power of that statement, the more free I became. I am a sinner. You are a sinner. We are all sinners. Only one perfect Lamb was sinless. That is Jesus. He died to pay the price of all of our sin. That sentence was supposed to be ours. I am not a hypocrite because I go to church. I go to church because I realize I am a sinner and Jesus is the truth and the life. He forgave me of my tresspasses, all I had to do was repent and believe.

Easter is now a time of reflection and love. God loved me and you so much that he gave us his son to die in our place. Jesus gave his life to cover our sin debt in full. Once confessed, our sins are forgiven. Psalms 103:12 states “as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” So from the bottom of my heart, I love you brother and sister. I hope you find peace and happiness in Christ this Easter. Remember God loves you and you are worth being loved.

God Bless.