Easter is a short time away. Join us in preparation by looking at what Easter really means. Each week on Wednesday leading up to Easter we will post a brief, but powerful reminder.
God is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Easter is the realization of the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. There was only one way for us all to be saved. It was through the sacrifice of the sinless lamb. Christ was the sinless, perfect lamb. God in flesh. Up until Christ's death priests and religious leaders alike would sacrifice animals. They would shed their blood to cover their sins and the sins of the people that came to them. However, this was never going to set the fall of man right with God. It would take the death of God in flesh and then for Him to rise again that our sins would be completely covered thus making us a new creation. Easter is when we celebrate this incredible prophecy being our reality.
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
1 Corinthians 15:21 NIV
When we know Christ we know a different world. We see things differently than those around us. We approach life as a new creation, because we know the sacrifice that was made to save us and we believe in the power of His resurrection. Having this knowledge is how we participate in His sufferings and then know the power of His resurrection. Participating in His sufferings is not something we shy away from as a new creation in Christ. This is because we are armed with the same attitude. “Whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” (1 Peter 4:1) Easter’s importance comes in this very acknowledgement. That we are done with sin and death no longer has a hold on us.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
Philippians 3:10 NIV
Considerations for your planner:
- How do you celebrate the gift of life Christ has given? Write it down.
- Do you run from suffering or do you welcome it? Write down what it would mean to welcome suffering with a grateful attitude.
