The spring equinox.
Perennials reappear. Flowers magically burst forth from their dormant state. Grass turns back into green lush lawns. Trees leaf and become playgrounds for children and animals once again. The light lasts longer in the evening sky. And the sweet floral notes that float on the spring breeze are almost musical. I am thankful for this time of beauty, awakening and hope.
As I think about the renewal of life and I contemplate that third day when Jesus Christ miraculously rose from the dead, it seems like a glorious event to celebrate. Jesus Christ rose from the dead! Jesus Christ is the Son of God! Scripture was fulfilled!
Over the next 40 days before his ascension to Heaven, Jesus appeared to many, but never did He ask that we organize a day commemorating his resurrection. In our society, we have created man-made celebrations to show how much we love Jesus and how thankful we are for Him that He was born and then died on the cross for us. Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday are some of them, but they aren’t supported in Scripture. The Bible tells me those “holy days” are traditions of men not commandments of God. I just want to to know how Jesus would have me celebrate. What would be pleasing to Him? And to God, His Father. It seems the only time that Jesus mentions memorializing His Life was during the passover meal on Nisan 14 when He was just 33 years old preparing to die so I could live. It was that evening that He gathered with his closest friends, followers, and believers, He broke bread with them, and said, “Do this in remembrance of me…” God shares the story with us in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; and also John 13:15-17, so that we will know the desires of His Heart.
This is Nisan 14, 2012… and as the sun begins to set on this day, I am thinking about this King of Kings, my Lord and Savior, about the pain and suffering that He was about to endure so that I, this sinner of many sins, might have each of them forgiven and receive everlasting life. I am honoring him by following his instruction during his last supper, his last passover meal. As I prepared the unleavened bread, and uncorked the wine, I was transported to a time when Jesus sat with his apostles after having been betrayed, knowing that his time on earth would be ending soon. His heart was heavy as He walked amongst the olive grove later that evening. He told his apostles, James and John, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.” Matthew 26:38, and later in that same chapter, with his face on the ground, Jesus asked his Father if it was possible to let this cup of suffering be taken away from him. But because of his sacrificial love for us, ended by saying, “I want your will to be done, not mine.” He was executed the next day.
When I think about these last moments in Jesus Christ’s perfect life, my heart breaks, it brings me to tears… of thankfulness… and humility… and love… for my Heavenly Father, Jehovah God… His Son, Jesus Christ… and the Great Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
I am doing this in remembrance of Him.
Loves Doves 