Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Passion of Easter


Last Sunday the church service we attended was especially meaningful. It was an interactive day for Palm Sunday. We had the opportunity at the end of the service to go down to the altar and do four things. First we were to write something we needed to "leave" at the cross on a blank piece of paper and then nail it to a cross. Secondly there was the communion tray where you could partake in the Lord's Supper. Thirdly, there were blank cards for you to write on the front side a statement of testimony and on the back side how God answered that need. Lastly, we were to turn in prayer request cards and light a candle at the altar for those who needed prayer. When you were not at the altar you were to be in prayer, all the while you could hear the hammering on the Cross. It just made it so real what Palm Sunday and Easter are really about, the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the death and resurrection of Christ. It's easy to get caught up in the secular part of Easter and I'm sure nothing pleases Satan more, for Christ's followers to minimize the incredible sacrifice Christ did for us. It is also very appropriate that Passover is this week. Christ was in the city to observe Passover with his disciples. During the Passover meal the third cup of wine is the Redemption cup. It's meaning during the Seder is "With this cup Israel remembers their deliverance from 430 years of slavery, and their redemption from the plague of death by the blood of the first Passover Lamb." (A MESSIANIC PASSOVER HAGGADAH) After the Passover meal (the last portion is what we now call the Lord's Supper) Christ and the disciples went out singing the halal (Psalms 113-118) and went right to The Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Part of Christ's prayer was" Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14: 36-37 Did you get it? "Remove this cup from me, Christ knew God's plan, that he was the Redemption for mankind. He knew that his blood would have to be shed. This is the very place the Roman soldiers arrested Christ and God's plan was put into action. I am so amazingly moved when I really stop and absorb once again, the great sacrifice Christ gave for us. As you meditate on what Easter means in your life here is a video to watch. The song is New Again, performed by Sara Evans and Brad Paisley. Enjoy and be blessed this Easter and Passover season.






4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was a real blessing. We tend to take it all for granted, but how could we? Love, Mom

Unknown said...

Thank you for that reminder of what this season is all about. Far from eggs and bunnies. But aren't we who believe that He "makes all things new" blessed beyond measure.

Linda said...

Yes, we are very blessed, even in the worst of circumstances all you have to do is think of the suffering Christ endured and it makes our woes seem very small.

Tina said...

Speechless....