What does Easter mean? Really? What does it mean to you? What do you celebrate? We hunt for eggs, we go to church, we have ham, and we thank Jesus for dying and then coming to life. But is that truly what it means?
I bought Prince of Egypt for the kids. I want them to understand why we are saved and how we are saved. Read Exodus. It goes into detail why the Israelites were to find a pure and spotless lamb. Durning their slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were to find a pure spotless lamb. They were to raise it and care for it until the right time. At that time they were to sacrifice it and place the blood on the door posts of their house. Why a lamb? Why the blood? What does it mean?
When Adam and Eve took the apple and ate, death came over them. They were separated from God, as we are now. The only way to get back into connection with God is through a sacrifice. This lamb was the Israelites sacrifice to the Lord. By spreading the blood on the door posts, the angel of death passed over them. This passover was celerated after that in thanks for the Lord.
So, what is the New Passover? First we need to recognize we NEED a sacrifice for our sins. We all sin. Whether big or small, we need that sacrifice. So, as time passed, God knew we needed the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. This was Jesus. Our ultimate sacrifice so that once and for all we were forgiven.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" John 1:29.
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own.Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away.*No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.*But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.10 But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief.Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands.11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possiblefor many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:5-12
Jesus is our Lamb. He is our sacrifice. Lay your hands on Him. Feel the pure lamb under your hands. His blood covers the door posts of our hearts. Praise Him for His broken body. Thank you for the blood to cover my sins. They are so many. Acknowledge Him and for the Resurrection. Die to self and come alive anew in Christ - daily. We were all nailed on the cross with our Savior, but He bore the pain and suffering for us.
Without Him, there is no hope, no meaning. Why live if all we get is death? With Jesus and confessing our sins to Him we are no longer dead - but alive in Christ.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2
So, as we approach the day of our Lord's Resurrection, remember why we are here. Set your eyes to Heaven and in everything you do, do it for Christ. He died for us.
Blessings,
Sandra
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