I feel like I missed Easter last year. I mean, I guess we kind of did. No church. No hunt. No family. No formal celebration. But I think … I really missed it.
I look back at my journal and see, “Easter was different. Church online.”
That’s it? Is that really all I wrote? Did I spend any time reflecting on what Christ did for me?
This year, as Easter approaches, I realize I don’t want to miss it again, and I don’t want to downplay how this story changed everything.
The life and death of Jesus was foretold long before a baby was born in the manger, and for generations, people waited for their Messiah. When He came, many missed it. When He died, people discounted who He really was. But on resurrection morning, the tomb was empty, and Jesus appeared to the Marys. He said, “Go. Tell.”
That is our commission. To go. Tell. If we do nothing else, we must tell others the story. But in the telling of the story, there are those who wonder, “Who put Christ to death? Whose fault is it?” There were many players in the last days before Christ’s crucifixion, and we want to find someone to blame. Judas. Pilate. Barabbas. The Pharisees. Each had a role in the story, as did I.
Here is what I know.
I slept in the garden when He asked me to pray. I sold him to the Pharisees for 30 pieces of silver. I stood with the mob in the moonlight and kissed His cheek. I carried the whip of metal and bone. I swung the hammer that pierced His flesh. I denied Him. I condemned Him.
And yet, He said … Father forgive her.
Father forgive her.
There are no words strong enough to express my gratitude.
Jesus stood in my stead.
He did not hesitate.
He did not withdraw.
The truth is, no one took His life.
He laid it down.
For me.
For you.
This changed everything. Jesus conquered death. We are forgiven. We are redeemed. We are made new.
Don’t miss it!
