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Easter hype :: Friday E-Devotion

Romans 5:6 (nlt) --- When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
 
One of the toughest things that we have to deal with is death.  But Easter reminds us of death!
 
One of the sweetest things that we even get to enjoy is the birth of new life.  But Easter reminds us of new life!
 
How can both of those things be true?  Is not about eggs and candy but rather a Savior who suffered to give us new life.  To have those two things, death and life, tied together means that someone did something for me and for you.  They went the extra mile.  That is Jesus.  Much like a parent who suffers through the pains of birth (like my wife...I just watched and listened), who gives up things so a child can have things and cries often because parenting isn't for cowards...Jesus' life, death and resurrection is the Hype of Easter.
 
Was His death horrible and painful?  Yes.  Did it happen with purpose?  Yes.
 
A simple time line: 
 
THE ARREST (Jesus was taken into custody and falsely accused...Matthew 26)
THE TRIAL (Jesus beaten and tried and convicted as a criminal...again, Mathew 26)
THE CROSS (Jesus was murdered and died on the cross...Matthew 27)
questions and more (the people around Jesus were crushed but waiting because, as the old song says, we've only just begun)
THE RESURRECTION (Jesus walked out of the tomb, was alive, appeared to people and gave us meaning and purpose...Matthew 28)
 
The most important thing we can do for Easter is to increase the Easter Hype and give people Jesus.  He is not a shot in the arm or a pill you can take.  He is the Savior who died for people in need.
 
We have some sweet values at The Community Fellowship.  One of those is to get the attention of our community, and while we have their attention, tell them about Jesus.  Plain and simple, Easter Hype is all about Jesus.  What do we do?  Advertise, pass out a hundred plus invitations, send hundred's of e-mails, pray and plan, give away cool stuff (iPods, Nintendo games, CD's and more....you have to be here to win) and more.  Why do we do that?  To get people around us so that Jesus will be talked about.
 
Jesus died for our sins.  We accept Him as Savior.  Why?
 
Luke 24:23 (nlt) --- They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive!
 
Romans 6:23 (nlt) --- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
Last thing about Easter Hype...lots of people live dead lives.  I mean we live without purpose, without hope and all for nothing.  Let me leave you with a question that people were asked the day Jesus rose from the dead:
 
Luke 24:5 (nlt) --- The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?  

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