Easter and Jesus

Easter eggs, hot cross buns and an old, rugged Cross seem to have little in common.

Most of us have different rhythms to our lives. Some would have engaged with Lent. Some might have worked harder in the gym, at school, at work, at play.

How ever we have spent our days leading up to Easter or Passover weekend, all of us would have been aware that a long weekend is coming up.

For some of us it is just free time to do as we please. For the retail people it will be a very busy time coming up.

For Christians it is a significant time in our faith journey. It is more than just a few days off. It is more than a fleeting memory of a Man who died on an old, rugged Cross.

For Christians, the Saviour, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, died for us. He made a redemptive sacrifice so that we can be reconciled with our Creator. It is worth remembering that Jesus died for all people, not just the Jews. It is worth recalling that He took our sins and transgressions with Him to the cross. It is worth exploring His teachings on service, loyalty, love and repentance. His teachings had upset people then, as it does now.

In His deepest suffering, Jesus expressed loving concern for others (Matthew 27:32-55) – the women of Jerusalem and the thieves hanging beside Him.

It is worth remembering, as He hung on that Cross, He uttered these heart-wrenching words “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” He was taunted, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:35,39) Christ, coming from the Greek word “Christos” , meaning ‘anointed one’ or “Messiah”, from the Hebrew word, meaning “Saviour”.

So, on Holy Friday, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, let us remember, Jesus Christ, our Messiah, who refused to save Himself from an old rugged Cross, so that we can live a reconciled life with God, our Creator.

Keep the faith!

Brigitte