Saturday, April 11, 2009

Happy Easter!

Several years ago, one of my Sunday School teachers described, in brutal detail, the death of Christ. Afterwards, I ran to the bathroom and cried, actually bawled. Never before had I truly understood the magnitude of His death and resurrection. Don't get me wrong, I understood His death to be cruel, but I didn't know the gory details. If you have seen The Passion of the Christ, then you have an idea of what my teacher described. I did gain more appreciation (for lack of a better word) for His sacrifice and my grievous ways.

Recently, I finished reading Brennan Manning's latest, The Furious Longing of God. In the chapter titled Giving, Manning asks the reader if Christ went through all of that brutality just to make us nicer? Or did he endure it all so that we would be new creations? New creations willing to give ourselves completely to God (I'm really not doing it any justice here. If you get a chance to read it, please do. It's very convicting).

Please don't take Christ's sacrifice for granted. He knew what He was about to endure and still went through it so that we would be saved. What magnificent love!

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Amen!

3 comments:

Just Me said...

When I saw the Passion of the Christ I bawled like a baby. Openly in the theater. I too knew the sacrifice, but didn't KNOW it. We try to watch it every Good Friday to remind us and prepare us for the glory that is Easter.

The Greeks say Christos Anesti which means Christ has Risen! as a greeting (almost a cheer) for Easter. The response is Alithos Anesti! which means He has Rise in Deed. So, my friend, CHRISTOS ANESTI!

Joanna said...

Melyssa: Alithos Anesti!

Mom said...

Happy Easter, Sweetie!

Love to you all! And many thanks!