“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
John 3:16, 17 NIV
There I stood wide eyed on an Easter Morning marveling at the beautifully tailored green coat dress my mother had created with her very own hands. Her limited budget and lack of sewing machine did not thwart her plans, nor limit her marvelous gift to me. My hopes weren’t dashed; my mother had exceeded my expectations. On Sunday morning I awoke to the site of seeing an ensemble that was created with me in mind. There on the hanger hung my Easter dress and on this occasion I didn’t have to make due. That childhood memory, so many years ago is still very clear in my mind! But it was my mother’s constant and active displays that nurtured me and my brothers. There were many days of home baked cookies, sewn tote-shoe bags with creative stitching, construction paper made into vocabulary and math flash cards, encouraging words and her being an unselfish person—it’s all of those tokens of a marvelous love that have been instilled in me and carry me through my life and still give me this incredible and memorable gift as we approach Resurrection Sunday!
Our Heavenly Father is surely the exemplary loving parent! Have you experienced it?
Friends, you know well the Easter themes, the melodic hymns of Zion, eloquent sermonic messages spoken in The Seven Last Words on Good Friday and lest we not forget the baked ham, Easter lilies, colorful outfits and baskets running over with fruity jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and crosses. This too is a real part of many Easters across the nation. But more importantly the ultimate gift given us- yes, our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! A marvelous gift that allows me and you to confidently lean on the promises of God with an expectant hope!
So during this Passion Week we can confidently embrace the truth-that there’s no greater gift that we can have than the love of God. God I am sure is counting on us to let His love be the focus and main ingredient in our Easter festivities. With that thought let me encourage you to remember your birth rights as children of the most High God and carry in your hearts and conversations the spirit of an expected good to permeate your life and the lives of others. Just like me as a child on Easter morning-know without a doubt that something wonderful and good awaits you no matter our perceived limitations and the negative nay sayers!
No my friends, I agree it’s not about the clothes; it’s about the marvelous sacrificial love of a parent. What my mother and possibly many of your parents have done on countless occasions is model love, a love that revives and lifts us! My mother’s behavior exemplified what was merely a reflection of the love that Christ has for us.
Just trust in him!
"There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."
John 3: 18-21 (NIV)
Go ahead and boldly embrace a spirit of great expectancy; no matter the days that are filled with some mighty highs and agonizing lows. It’s the anticipation of something wonderful to come; the Lamb of God actively visible in the outcomes of our lives! Yes He was struck down, but no hell could contain Him. It’s the celebration and resurrection of a new day, a new hope, a new truth, a new glory and a new and real determination that our Christ is alive. So in essence our personal ruts and predictable behavior can always be blood washed and refreshed because it’s a marvelous love that saves us! Keep singing, keep hoping and keep on loving in the name of Jesus!
Have a blessed Easter! Amen!
Joyfully submitted by Linda Mose Meadows
Author of: The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises
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