Man of Sorrows, Lamb of God

Easter will soon be here, once again!

For so many reasons, this is my favorite holiday. But it's also one of the most emotionally draining times of the whole year for me.

Let me explain:

Every year, the Easter story is(or should be) re-read and re-lived for all believers. It is not only a reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus made for us, but also the great promise of one day being re-united in eternity with Him. 

When I think of the pain, ridicule, and suffering he endured, my heart aches. What human being wouldn't feel empathy for any person who would have to endure such persecution!?!

Then, I'm reminded that He did it in place of what should have been my suffering and punishment! I deserve it, but He took it for me! Talk about feeling some guilt!!

Then, I realize how much He really loves me, to do that! And my mind cannot even fathom that kind of love! (the closest I could compare it to is the love I have for my own child). And I am overwhelmed by it!!

As I contemplate this love and sacrifice, I am full of gratitude...so full of thankfulness that mere words cannot express it! I can only weep over all I know about my Savior - who is also my Friend!

Then, finally, I end the experience of this holiday season full of joy and anticipation, for I know that He is risen and He lives!! And when it is time for the end of this life, I will live with Him forever in heaven!! Could we ever wish for anything more wonderful and joyous!!?!! (It has always perplexed me how anyone who truly hears and understands the story of Easter could reject such love and promise!)

I recently watched this video and song by Hillsong. What a magnificent overview of the Easter story and what it is all about! 

·         "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isa 53:4-5

·         Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe in this?" John 11:25-26 

·         "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:8-11 

·         "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, " 1 Peter 1:3-4

Over the next week and a half, may we think upon this horrific, yet wonderful event in history with much sadness, gratitude, joy, and anticipation!!

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