What Does Easter Mean to Me?
At bible study last Tuesday we were encouraged to search the scriptures and share with eachother what the bible had to say about "the cross." We were also encouraged, as we approach this Easter weekend to ponder what that means to us, what difference is there in our lives because of these truths.
I find it easy to brush over the Easter story because I know it so well. Sometimes I feel the emotions of sadness, joy, and gratitude as I think about the sacrifice Jesus made for me, His triumph over death, and the resulting relationship I can have with Him. But I don't often take the time to think about what that means in my life. How does this change me?
When I think about "the cross," this section of verses comes to mind.
Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus humbled himself because he loved me; he humbled himself so that I could be forgiven. He humbled hiself for God's glory. My attitude should be the same. I need to stop being selfish in order to love and forgive those around me. Sometimes I do this, many times I fail. Because of Christ I can do this. Someone at bible study put it like this:
"When I do not love and forgive others, I am forgetting the love and forgiveness that God has given me."
I pray that I will be constantly reminded of God's love and forgiveness for me. Not just through this Easter weekend, but in that moment when I want to hold a grudge or am tempted to choose myself over someone else.
That's what Easter means to me.
I find it easy to brush over the Easter story because I know it so well. Sometimes I feel the emotions of sadness, joy, and gratitude as I think about the sacrifice Jesus made for me, His triumph over death, and the resulting relationship I can have with Him. But I don't often take the time to think about what that means in my life. How does this change me?
When I think about "the cross," this section of verses comes to mind.
Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus humbled himself because he loved me; he humbled himself so that I could be forgiven. He humbled hiself for God's glory. My attitude should be the same. I need to stop being selfish in order to love and forgive those around me. Sometimes I do this, many times I fail. Because of Christ I can do this. Someone at bible study put it like this:
"When I do not love and forgive others, I am forgetting the love and forgiveness that God has given me."
I pray that I will be constantly reminded of God's love and forgiveness for me. Not just through this Easter weekend, but in that moment when I want to hold a grudge or am tempted to choose myself over someone else.
That's what Easter means to me.