March 20, 2008 - Hebrews 12:2

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.
We celebrate Easter this Sunday. It is the joyous remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It is truly an amazing day! To realize that, in this day, God’s rescue plan for all humanity, and indeed for all creation, was culminated in the incredible moment when Jesus was raised from the dead. Three days before the resurrection, Jesus was brought to trial, found guilty of trumped-up charges, was crucified, and was buried. And all of this was on the physical, “earthly” level. In the spiritual dimension, all hell was unleashed on Jesus during His crucifixion. And He conquered it!
Today, we celebrate that Jesus came through the ultimate hell and was raised to new life. It was God’s ultimate plan that allowed Jesus to be the first of many that would begin to experience His kingdom here on earth.
I must confess that I would like to skip the “hell” part and go right to the resurrection part, but that does not seem to be part of the plan. If Jesus was indeed “the pioneer and perfecter,” leading the way by His personal example, then we must go through a similar “dying” in order to experience His resurrected life. Again, I would prefer to skip the suffering part and go straight to the victorious part. Yet, for our own good, He has another way. According to Paul, I must die in this life (2 Corinthians 5:17). I must “endure my own cross,” with its shame (Galatians 2:20) – in order to more deeply appreciate and celebrate His victory through the resurrection from the dead. That deepens my sense of awe, celebration, and worship at Jesus’ resurrection!
Questions to consider: How do I want to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection this Easter? Am I willing to embrace the cross that Jesus has for me to bear in order to more fully appreciate and celebrate His kingdom victory in our world?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for raising Jesus from the dead, and for rescuing your creation from death and destruction through our disobedience. Give me the courage to embrace the cross, and go through that which You would have me bear, in order that I would more deeply appreciate Your resurrection power. Amen.
Joyous Easter to each of you!