It is Easter time. Also called Pasch, it is that time of the year when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I had always wondered growing up why Easter was not as hugely celebrated as Christmas. Now I realize that Christmas is celebrated by almost everyone world-wide really while Easter is more confined to Christians.
I remember checking up on the etymology of the word “Easter”, I was surprised at the different possible origins of the word (you should check it yourself) but that is not the focus of my post. My focus is on the significance of those events and the value we should place on them. The events we celebrate are the greatest, most epic of all time. The sinless Lamb of God took our place and died our death. He rose again in victory, vanquishing all our foes and now we live in His life.
The cross is an emblem of our faith. We wear it on our necklaces, use it in paintings, pictures and even put it in our homes, offices and churches. I would like to remind us however, that our Saviour is no longer on the cross. He is also no longer in the grave. He is alive forever more. Our Lord has completed His work of redemption our behalf. At His death, Jesus said “It is finished” (John 19:30). It signified that He had accomplished all that He had come into the world to do. Debts of sin paid in full. Ransom for slavery paid in full. Price to set His people at liberty paid in full.
My song for the season is “Forever” by Kari Jobe featuring Isaac Wimberley.
A three day period or even a one month period in a year is not enough to celebrate the wonders of our redemption wrought for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is worthy of daily celebration all year round.
Darkness At Noon
The sun seemed covered, its light was not seen
The earth was in darkness and it lasted three hours
A cry rent the air, from a soul in unimaginable agony
Horror filled the air, women weeping and wailing
Dashed hopes for some men-their teacher had just been executed.
Mocked, whipped, nailed to the cross between two thieves for no insurrection
This executed man had foretold His own resurrection
From the moment He died, the Jewish leaders would have been filled with trepidation
A curtain in the temple had been torn into two- an abomination!
Would He really rise from the dead? What about this darkness at noon?
Perhaps the “gods” were angry
His friends were hiding in fear, their comforter was lying in a grave
His body was in a new tomb, and now they were alone
They had vowed to stick to Him till death, but beyond Kidron valley they all fled
The memories brought them only more sorrow, tears and fear
He had healed the sick, even raised dead Lazarus
Bartimeaus was no longer blind-He healed him too
He fed the multitude with a little boy’s lunch-an astounding miracle
The mute spoke, the deaf heard with just His simple touch
Still the great Teacher was lying in a sepulchre covered with a stone
His death wasn’t glorious, He was nailed to a cross
A cursed death!
A different scene two days later:
Two men raced to the tomb, some women had been there earlier
And brought them a message that seemed incredible
The stone had been rolled away, He was raised to life with power indestructible
This was our propitiation, sacrifice by God and of God Himself
The darkness at noon-the “gods” weren’t angry, the Son of God was crucified
But the pains of death were loosed and now He lives forever
He bore our curse, our sins and death
We now have His blessing, righteousness and life
Through the eternal sacrifice of Him who is the Resurrection and the Life
