As I sat in church on Palm Sunday last year, I smiled at the little children who paraded down the aisles singing and waving palm branches.
Oh, of course, I thought. This is Palm Sunday. How did Easter get here so quickly?
Like most people I know, I enjoy celebrating Easter. But I had been considering it a far second (if that) to Christmas.
As I sat there, it bothered me that I enjoyed celebrating Jesus’ birth much more than His death and resurrection.
At Christmas, we have presents, fun traditions, and it’s all about God sending the gift of His Son.
But Easter -- that’s about my sin and guilt, angry mobs, brutal crucifixion, and then an empty tomb. Or is it?
If not for Christ’s willing death, I would still be dead in my sins. If not for His resurrection, I’d have no hope of eternal life.
This is worth meditating on, even 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter.
By that final Sunday, I’ll be singing, “Christ Our Lord is Risen Today” with overflowing joy.
This is the very reason for observing Lent -- to come before the Lord and prepare our hearts for renewal. It’s a way of identifying with Christ, who endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him, according to Hebrews 12:2.
This year, I want to observe this Lenten season and grow deeper in my love and identification with Christ. Here are some ideas in the running:
Pray about how you are going to observe this wonderful Lenten season. I’m going to try one of these ideas this year. Will you?
I want to focus on Jesus’ Passion during these days prior to Resurrection Day. Then when my mouth proclaims, “Alleluia, He is risen!” my heart will respond, “He is risen indeed!”
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