It is not a shock to anyone associated with the calendar what is significant about this weekend. I’m not going to get into the old “it’s-not-really-the-right-time-of-the-year” argument concerning the date. Gregorian calendar. Gregorian chant. Makes no difference to me at all. This is a special time of the year for all who follow Christ and even those who don’t.
For those who don’t: the merchants will profit and others will see it as a way to get some time off. My wife’s work closes on Good Friday and pays her for it. Not to celebrate too much: she works Saturday. 🙂
For those who do follow Christ: it is a time of celebration. Some will argue Easter should have more significance than Christmas. Makes no difference to me. You can’t have Easter if there is no Christmas. No death and resurrection if no birth.
I like this time for several reasons (and none of it involves candy even though I love chocolate):
The cross is the launching pad into an existence Jesus modeled and told us we had access to.
The cross is only beautiful because of the empty tomb.
We celebrate His death because of His resurrection.
The power of love is perfected when sinners become saints.
The whole point of Jesus’ death and resurrection was that we would encounter love and become love.
I borrowed the above highlighted thoughts from Prone to Love by Jason Clark (p.166)
I’m going to be taking some time away from here over the weekend. Jo has Friday off and I have already been “encouraged” to spend the day with her. Friday evening we are having a night of worship. Sunday we will be together as a church body for one worship experience at the Tivoli theater. I am preaching on John 11.
Have a great Resurrection weekend. See you back here later Sunday night or sometime Monday. I hope to hear some of your resurrection day victories.
Peace and blessings to you this weekend.
You too Daniel. Hope you get some time to enjoy that young lady of yours.
Happy Easter to you, as well!
Blessings Stephen.
Ok, the Prove To Love by Clark is going on my list. Just the little excerpt Amazon gave drew me in. I use the term child of God a lot and mean it with all my heart but sometimes I sure don’t act like His child. Got a feeling my toes will be stepped on when I read Clark’s book. Happy Easter brother, preach Jesus, He is better then any Easter basket they can make.
I got a feeling your whole body will be stepped on. 🙂 Enjoy your resurrection weekend Betty. What a thrill to know it holds extra special meaning for your family (he raised a dead marriage).
Have a great weekend, Bill.
You too larry. Enjoy that sunrise service and breakfast. 🙂
I must be missing something. I am not a Christ follower and yet I don’t get time off and have no urge to support any merchants. Santa Claus is much more important than the Easter Bunny so I would have to vote for Christmas being more important. Have a good weekend.
I remember when many got Friday off or at least closed their doors from 12-3. Yeah, long time ago. I am not much into supporting merchants either. I don’t buy new clothes for one day. I will, however, take some time away from the blog due to time constraints. Hope you have a good weekend also Jeff. Thanks.
With you, Bill. Have a blessed Easter weekend with your family and church family.
Thanks Floyd. Praying your family also worships the Risen King with a newfound joy this year.
Genuine and enduring passion comes from an ever-increasing…ever-deepening understanding of what God has done for His people in the person and work of Jesus Christ!
Have a blessed Easter..Pastor.
Agreed Ike. Pray you and Carol also have a celebration Easter.
Have a blessed weekend, dear big brother!
We have a service tonight (just reading from the Gospels about Jesus’ last hours with some background music) and then on Sunday we’ll have a sunrise service. Looking forward to my first Easter celebration with Sam.
According to Caleb this is one of the times our calendars are in sync. I pray your Easter is a blessed one.
This is one of those years when the Eastern and Western calendars align. So I’m thinking and praying a lot for my friends and family in Ukraine this weekend and they celebrate the resurrection with the threat of war and violence on their minds.
I will be praying for your friends in Ukraine as well Caleb. And will include your family in that prayer.
Have a blessed Easter weekend Bill. I am so thankful for the cross. Love you guys.
Love you too Jan. Tell Michael I said Hi. Miss hearing from and seeing you guys.