Easter~ The more I think about it, the more I realize how important this day is... maybe more important than even celebrating his birth. Don't get me wrong, I know that without Jesus being born, none of this would have happened. This Easter time period in his life is when he knows and decides it is his time to die, and then the most amazing thing of all, rise up from the dead. After he rises, Jesus tells his diciples to spread the good news and make disciples of all the nations. These words have given me the grace to be among the saved. We have been doing the 40 days of Easter bible readings with the kids. As we get to his sacrifice, his death, I find it hard to explain to my 4 year old why Jesus had to die. Jesus who loved the children, Jesus who fed 5,000 and performed miracles. Someone to her who is magical, and a best friend all in one, someone so full of love for us. It hurts me deep inside to read the story of his death to her, about the pain he had to go through for us, the separation he felt from his own father while on the cross, the weight of our sin that he put on himself. Rylee's bible isn't nearly so harsh, mine on the other hand talks about Jesus being crushed for our iniquities, wounded for our transgressions. We aren't talking about the Romans hurting him, the bible clearly says the pain Jesus is feeling is because of us. Everything, every story in Rylee's bible has led us up to this very moment, Jesus's death. I'm sure her mind is full of so many questions listening to this, feelings she can't yet understand or put into words. It's a long day before we get to the next story. I know her mind is not meditating on these things, she is thinking about the warm day, the excitement of easter egg hunts, and time with her friends and family. I on the other hand keep thinking about this great weight Jesus put on himself. I think about being a parent and what it means to know your child is going to die, but not only you child, your perfect child. Your child that is choosing to die to save all your other lost children, I think about how amazing it is that God loves us all as much as Jesus because I know I am far, far, far from Jesus's perfection. This train of thought eventually leads me from great sadness and hurt from knowing what Jesus took upon himself for us, to the gift of what Jesus gave us. Being forgiven, giving us our salvation, the gift of the new covenant. One day, I will join Him. One day I will be free from the hurt of living in this sin filled world and know only love. What an amazing love that God loves us all with, what an amazing gift we have been given. I can't wait to read Rylee the story entitled 'God's Wonderful Surprise'. I can't wait to share with her the angels message to Mary Magdalene "What are you doing here? This is a tomb and tombs are for dead people". I can't wait to tell her about Mary's heart leaping with joy and the message Jesus gave her to tell the others He was ALIVE! What a gift I have been given! What little blessings I get to live with every day. What a great reminder to live joyfully.
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