Reflection

There was something about watching the very first Easter unfold on my television set this year that made this Easter a little more special.  Even though I wasn’t looking forward to seeing the blood and violence present in the crucifixion of Christ, I also knew that if not for that blood, nothing else would matter.

He is risen! – Image source: http://www.facebook.com/BibleSeries

I have to divert my eyes even when shows like CSI are on, so the crucifixion is always hard for me to watch. I don’t like watching it in movies, on TV, or in church productions. It makes me cringe, it causes me to shutter, and I usually end up crying.

But when I think about what Jesus did for me on that cross, I realize that the least I can do is make myself watch. And every time that I do, God shows me something more. Something deeper. Something personal.

This time, one particular detail jumped out at me and hasn’t left me since. In the show, when they finally got to Golgotha, Jesus fell to the ground and the cross thundered down beside him.

Then, he pulled himself up and crawled over to the cross.

He crawled TOWARDS the cross. Not away from it.

That little detail meant more to me than anything else this Easter. Because of this small detail that some director in Hollywood chose to include in the TV show, I was reminded that Jesus’ death on the cross was voluntary.

I’ve known that forever, of course, but to be reminded of it in such a tangible way renewed my faith and warmed my heart.

Jesus was determined to die on the cross. He knew that it must be done in order for our sins to be forgiven, and so he chose to endure the beatings, endure the humiliation, endure the pain, and endure the loneliness all so that we wouldn’t have to.

The weight that I feel in response to that is so strong, I can’t even articulate it. To say, “Thank you,” seems inadequate.

Theme – From Darkness to Light

It’s easy to get tricked into believing that you have to DO something to earn your salvation. I mean, it can’t be that easy, can it? Just accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and that’s it? Surely there’s more…

But there’s not more, and it is that easy.

Salvation is not Jesus +[something]. Salvation is just Jesus. It’s not Jesus + baptism or Jesus + perfection or Jesus + works. To suggest that anything else is necessary is to suggest that Jesus couldn’t get the job done himself.

With the salvation that Jesus offers, it is finished. The work is done. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Sabbath; he is your rest. There is no work left to do. There is nothing to prove. Nothing to earn. No striving. No “try,” only “take.” Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Your salvation and sustenance comes, not from what you do, but from what is done. Your task is to accept his gift and rest in it. Wake up to it. Enjoy it. And give thanks for it.  The Bible 30-Day Experience Guidebook (pp. 127-138)

So how do we give thanks for salvation when “Thank you” seems inadequate?

Two ways: 1. by living a life worthy of our calling. And 2) by being a light in this dark world.

Discussion (answer one or more in the comments)

1. Which is more difficult for you, to live out Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross or to tell others about it? Why?
2. How can you be a light in this dark world?
3. What did you think about the series as a whole?

Wrapping Up

Thank you so much for joining me in this awesome series! I enjoyed it so much! I’ll be writing one final post about this on Thursday to give my thoughts about the series as a whole, but I hope to hear yours as well! See you then!

Related Posts:
Week One: From Death to Life
Week Two: From Slavery to Freedom
Week Three: From Victim to Victor
Week Four: From Religion to Relationship
Week Five: From Darkness to Light
So… Satan looks like Obama? What does that mean?