Gratitude for God's Gift of Grace and Forgiveness

    
      Here it is, the day before Easter. This holiday is not about bunny rabbits, chocolate candy, easter eggs or Easter Baskets.  Nor is it about wearing fancy clothes to church, collection plates or stained-glass windows in churches or cathedrals.

      Sorry, but that is not what this special holiday, central to Christianity's claims, is about. Easter relates with something grander, the resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Over the past week I saw a commercial touting Buzz Lightyear balloons for this holiday. Now, I like Buzz Lightyear. But, he has nothing to do with Easter. How tragic, something deeply significant for the Christian faith has degenerated into a time where cultural icons are celebrated, that have nothing to do with spirituality, and Christianity in particular.

      When I was in college I encountered Senior students, at a world-famous university,  who did not know who were Adam and Eve. So, I won't assume everyone is familiar with the holiday celebrated tomorrow by many Christians and others who practice other faiths. Suffice it to say, Easter commemorates Christ's resurrection from the dead. What I write, I ask you to take what you like, and leave the rest. It's not my intention to convert you----that's not my job. I simply want to inform you about some basics about this central day in the Christian calendar.

      Christ made many claims, one of which, was that He was God and the Son of God. He staked all He taught on one test. He told those who listened to his teachings, twenty one hundred years ago, to one proof.  He said, that after He died, he would arise again, after three days.  In Christian literature---the Bible----we read that Christ was crucified on a Friday, after a trumped up trial done at night.

      Roman Centurions were posted at the tomb, where Christ was buried. The soldiers were to guard his tomb, at the penalty of their own lives, if they failed. They were to prevent anyone from stealing Christ's body. The Jewish rulers asked the  Roman authority, the Governor Pontius Pilate, to assign this guard.  They were aware of Christ's claim, and desired to prevent any rumor of Christ's resurrection from occurring. They did not want anything to validate the teaching of this man from Nazareth.

      On Sunday, three days after his death, Christ's tomb was found empty.  Shortly afterwards, Jesus of  Nazareth appeared to 500 witnesses. Just as important as his resurrection is the significance of it. Christ conquered the power of death, but for three days he was dead. Christ was God's sacrifice, the Lamb of God.

       On His shoulders, while he hung in agony on the cross,  the sins of all mankind were placed. These sins, past, present and future were paid for, in His death. Christ had to be man, so that he could empathize with our frailties and needs. He also needed to be God, so that his death would be worthy substitution for the multiple millions who place their faith in Him.

My gratitudes for today:

1. I'm humbled that Christ died for my sins. I'm grateful for His sacrifice on my behalf. I rebelled against him, as a youth. That did not stop Him from wooing me. I'm in awe of his patience with me, overlooking my arrogance, when I thought I could live by my power alone. There is no humility in self-will. 

2. I'm thankful for the spiritual power available to us when we rely on His strength. In our own strength we are unable to live the life we want, nor overcome the areas where we struggle.

3. I'm thrilled that Christ rose from the dead, over two thousand and eleven years ago.He overcame not only physical death, but spiritual death as well.

4. I'm glad that all who call upon His name, can share the same experience as the many multitudes who believe in Christ. Any new believer will discover the power of His resurrection.