Easter and the cruel cross

Easter.  It is the holy day that is also a holiday in many places.  For some it is about colored eggs and a furry bunny rabbit.  Baskets full of candy and other trinkets abound in homes with kids.

It is a tradition with family, meals and other parts that create memories and put smiles on our faces.  There are things from my childhood that reminds me Easter is important.  It is important for many different reasons

But that’s not the Easter that started it all.  The life of our Savior, Jesus who is the son of God, was thirty plus years in length finding it’s pinnacle in a horrible, gruesome death.  The cross was intended for hard criminals who are guilty of crimes against humanity.  The cross was a picture for others to look on as a deterrent for bad decisions.

Miracles were part of his past.  Some miracles brought life while others brought food or drink or storms or calm.  Relationships were abundant throughout His three decades.  Those close to Him were often amazed at His wisdom and His compassion.  Those curious were put off by His claims as well as by His power that rocked with hurricane force the status quo most were happy with.

So, the cross was to end it.  Jesus was to go away because those religious and government leaders couldn’t handle the relationships or the miracles or the hope that His every day life and words and presence bought.  Jesus is life.  Easter is about life.

Then why is Easter marred with death and pain?  It is spring with new flowers and pretty colors.  It is intended to show everyone that life is to be cherished.

The cross was a promise and was something that God placed in the story so that we could be given promise and peace.  The cross brought death which gave way to real and abundant life.  Without His death we would not have life, abundant life now or eternal life forever.

Luke 23  NLT

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice…

44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

The cruel, gruesome cross brought beautiful, abundant life.  The mark of death is the beginning of life.  Celebrate Easter by remembering our Savior and making much of Him this week,