Easter has just passed, the holiday where the world fills up on chocolate and idolises bunny rabbits. But that's not the reason for the holiday, it is a time about reflection, repentance and rejoicing.
My son came home from kindy with a piece of artwork that had a note attached to it saying "I asked God, 'How much do you love me?' he said, 'This much' and stretched out his hands and died." I couldn't help but feel that rip right through me. We see in movies where someone sacrifices themselves for someone else, often someone good or in need etc, But is that reality ? sure, probably. For a lot of us maybe, maybe we would be willing to sacrifice ourselves for someone who was good or kind or liked us, but what about for those who don't? We see in Genesis 22 That Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac and when Abraham had Isaac tied up an angel said 'Don't lay a hand on the boy, do not hurt him in anyway, for now I know you truly fear God' 22:12 This verse shows Abrahams willingness to obey God. But God did that exact thing for us. He sent Jesus, his only Son, a perfect man, who healed many, showed us the way to live, and he was killed for our sins. By people who, by our human standards didn't deserve the sacrifice. Thankfully I have not been in a situation where I have had to make a decision quite like that, but where do our hearts stand ? would we be willing to do such a thing for someone, who in our eyes might not be deserving ? probably not. We are so, so quick to get offended, take things too personally, or are too selfish to see outside of ourselves. But God wants us to put ourselves aside, come last "but many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then" (Matthew 19:30) "Love your neighbour as yourself " (Matthew 23:39, the second most important Commandment) it didn't say 'self care, you gotta put your self first' 'Love the good neighbour' Easter, a time for reflection, have we been focusing on ourselves too much? could we be doing more for others? especially for those who don't like us?. Repentance, are we sorry for being self centred, and for all the things that comes with that? and rejoicing, giving thanks to a good Lord who knows our weaknesses and still was willing to sacrifice something so precious. Hopefully whilst enjoying a bit of choco we are able to soften our hearts a little for those who grind our gears, and maybe if the time comes to sacrifice something for someone else, regardless if they're good or bad, we can see it the way God does. And REJOICE for he is alive. |