Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
(NOTE: This was written and recorded before COVID-19 and social distancing. While we can’t gather in our churches, it is even more important for us to prepare our hearts for Easter.)
It is the week before Easter when we celebrate the most important event in all of history—the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We serve a risen Savior. Have you ever thought about how we celebrate Easter compared to Christmas? It’s like Easter is a distant second holiday to Christmas. We prepare for Christmas weeks in advance, don’t we? But how do we prepare for Easter?
Just think about it: If not for Christ’s willing death, we would still be dead in our sins. If not for his resurrection, we’d have no hope of eternal life. Indeed, this should cause us to meditate deeply as we remember what Jesus has done for us. So, this week I’m going to focus on things we can do to prepare for Easter.
First, read the story from the Gospels every day this week. Matthew 27 begins with the mockery of a trial that Jesus was subjected to through to the crucifixion and chapter 28 completes the story of his resurrection. Luke 22 through 24 gives the entire story, from the plot to kill Jesus to his resurrection. Chapters 18 through 20 of John cover the story from the betrayal of Jesus to his resurrection.
The first and best way to prepare for Resurrection Sunday is to read one of these passages from one of the Gospels every day this week. You could even read all three each day, so that your heart and mind is saturated with all that Jesus endured for you as he faced the reality that he would take the sin of the world on him—he would become sin for you—so that you might become the righteousness of God.
Once again, to prepare your heart for Easter, read Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 22 through 24 and John 18 through 20 this week. Put yourself in the picture and imagine what it was like to walk with Jesus through his betrayal, death and resurrection. Imagine watching all his disciples desert him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Imagine hearing Peter deny him three times. Imagine watching as the crowd cried, “Crucify him!” Imagine hearing him say, “It is finished.” Walk with Mary Magdalene as she discovers the empty tomb. Walk through it all with Jesus. It will prepare your heart to celebrate this most important event in all of history.