An Easter Thought

Today is the most universally important day of the year for Christians. At least as far as relevant observances of important events are concerned. We celebrate not His birth, but His death, and even more crucial, His resurrection.

Unlike Lazarus and anyone else who may have been revived, resuscitated or otherwise restored to life, Jesus did it on His own, without assistance, without a defibulator, without CPR, without surgery or a transplant of any sort. He simply said He would do it and He did. That's a BAAAAAD Man!!! You see, Lazarus needed Jesus to call him to come forth before He could overcome deaths grip. And guess what!?!?! Lazarus had to die AGAIN! Jesus just keeps going, and going, and going...

Imagine this... Knowing that it's in your future to be stalked, betrayed for a few bucks, accosted and beat down by the police (All night long-whipped, punched, hair pulled out, etc...), taken before the judge and been found innocent, but STILL sentenced to die, made to carry the instrument of your murder on your back for miles (Uphill-after being beat bloody), laughed at, spat on, mocked and made into a joke (After having been hailed as Lord a week earlier by the same folks). Still imagining? Good. Now tell me if (Remember, you know all this before hand),
you think you would choose to go through with it. Jesus had full knowledge of His future, but stuck it out. And remember, He was just as human as you or I. He got tempted, got stressed (Sweating blood because your praying so hard-happened to YOU lately?), In His human self, He even got a little reluctant to go through with it, asking His Dad to take away the responsibility if possible. Oh, He was still going to do it, but human Jesus had to check to see if there was maybe another option available.

But no, He didn't have another option. In order to make sure that inconsistent, hard headed, mistake prone, self promoting, opinionated, excuse making, etc, etc, etc... ME and YOU would have a chance to live with Him eternally, He went on though with it.

Maybe He could have shut off the pain for Himself...I'll bet He didn't. maybe He could have just left His body and watched from His throne...Bet He didn't. Maybe He could have used a proxy-you know, sent someone else to die for Him-maybe a high ranking angel would have been enough...He didn't. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus, His Son, to die (Got kids? Think You could do it?). Then Jesus loved us enough to stay to the end. Keep His promise. Stick it out. Die. Pain and all.

How much pain? I can't say, but let's imagine again. Let's say He endured pain the size of a needle prick for every sin ever committed. I know that just for ME that would add up to... uh, let's just say a lot. Now add on the sins of everyone who you know. Everyone you don't know. Everyone who has OR will ever live and sin. Even if it were one prick for everyone who has ever been born it would be TRILLIONS. Now multiply that by the thousands and thousands of wrong-doings, lies, stolen pens, extra cookies, evil thoughts, bits of gossip, altered resumes, extra minutes on your lunch breaks, wives with someone else's husband, husbands with other wives, 9% tithe offerings, etc, etc, etc... (It hurts my head to even think about doing that much math). Keep in mind, He did not just die for the sins of Christians or those who choose Him. He died for EVERY sin. EVERY sin. If you love Him or not. He STILL loved and loves you enough to have died for you.

While you consider Jesus and his contribution to your everlasting life (Remember, you've really contributed nothing yourself, it's all Jesus), know that He has gone through way too much for you not to do the relatively small act of saying "YES" to His offer-His life for yours. He already gave His. Now wachoogawnadoo???? I don't really know who you are, where you live, or what your life is like. Our only link is this blog...and Jesus... Maybe I'm saying things you've already heard, thought, said, or read before, I don't know. But maybe you never have. If you know Jesus, get to know Him better. If you don't know Him, I pray the music and offerings here at the Gospel Fill-up help you get to know Him, and I hope you keep heading His way. Please be blessed this Easter and may your future successes, failures, happiness, sadness, joy, sorrow, life and death be fully saturated with the hope, promise and love of Jesus Christ.

When I started this post, I expected to write a little "Happy Easter" message. But I guess you just gotta do what the Holy Spirit says do.

Peace,
Kaztricie1

P.S. Lilmama, I hope you're getting the rest you need to feel better. My wife and I are praying for you.