Reflections on Easter – 2019

Good Friday. To many that means nothing, to many it means something. To me, these are the words that come to mind when I reflect on Good Friday.
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Jesus – who was both man and God.
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Sacrifice – the harsh reality of giving up something to benefit someone else. In this case, Jesus gave up his life. He chose to die. For the world.
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Death – this was the reality. Crucified. Excruciating and the worst kind of way to die in Jesus’ day.
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Sin – the things that we do, think, feel and say that separate us from Father God.
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Grief – oh the grief of those who loved Jesus and watched him die. Oh the grief that Jesus felt for the life these people lived. He said “Forgive them Lord for they do not know what they are doing”. That’s us as well. We do not know what we are doing sometimes.
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Vulnerability – Brene Brown’s definition of vulnerability is “Uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure”. In these moments, as a human, Jesus was showing immense vulnerability and so were his loved ones. 
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Courage – to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart. Jesus was sharing his whole heart with the world by sacrificing his life. This sacrifice and courage would only become truly known in a few days time.
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Peace – so much uncertainty and yet Jesus also had peace because this was His plan as God, all along.
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Love – this sacrifice, this death, this sin of the world, this grief, this vulnerability, this courage and this peace – all this, this is LOVE.

Easter Sunday. To many it means nothing. To many it means something. To me when I think of Easter Sunday these are the words that come to mind.
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Jesus – both man and God. He defeated death and is alive!
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Alive – yes alive! A few days ago he was dead but now someone has witnessed the tomb empty! He has risen from the dead!
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Shock – Yes this would be a huge shock. As Mary went to the tomb to grieve for her friend, she discovers his body is not there. So much shock! So many questions! Where is He? Where did they take Him? 
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Hope – maybe there’s a bigger explanation? For us, it’s the hope that we have. With Jesus being alive, means we can have a real two-way relationship with Him. He is no longer dead which means he is alive, which means he talks to us, cares about us and shows us his love.
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Yay! – Celebration time! No need to be sad about his death anymore, instead we can celebrate that He is alive and talks to us, loves us and wants us to know how amazing He thinks we are and how proud He is of us. Celebrate!
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Truth – This IS the truth. He is alive. We do not worship a dead God!
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New – with life comes new beginnings. Everyday is new. Everyday you see the sun rise we have a new go at life. Whatever was happening the day before; a new day, a new life and new perspective can change everything. Will you let the new day change you?
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Love – yes that word love appears here too! Without love Jesus would not be alive!