Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
March 10th, 2008
It always amazes me how early stores and retail chains begin advertising and selling merchandise for holidays. Just as soon as Christmas is over, stores put out their Valentines Day displays, and as soon as February 14th is past, they get ready for Easter. Once again, Easter sure has seemed to sneak up on us this year. It seems strange to me that with little more than a week left until Easter Sunday we’re still seeing snow on the ground. But nevertheless, Easter is indeed almost here.
I gave great thought to what I should write to prepare our hearts for what is in my mind one of the greatest occasions that Christians have to celebrate - the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And so I thought that I would bring our attention to the last night that Christ spent on this earth. The very last night before Christ’s death was filled with meaningful events. Before his trial which ultimately led to his crucifixion upon the cross, we find Jesus spending one last evening with his disciples. Scripture says that they had come together to celebrate the Passover meal. But John records something amazing there in the events of that Last Supper.
John records these remarkable words in John 13:1. “It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” I hope that these words of John’s will never cease to amaze me. John tells us here that Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to him. Being fully God, Jesus was also fully aware of the events that lay in store for him that night. He knew that he was about to be arrested, tried, and killed that very night. He knew that it had to be done. For His People.
Imagine having that knowledge. Imagine knowing what terrible events would be waiting for you. Yet instead of worrying or hiding as some of us might do, John tells us that Jesus instead set out to show his disciples the full extent of his love. He goes on to describe this scene. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:3-5, NIV).
In those last moments of his life, Jesus could have gone and said goodbye to his family. He could have hidden somewhere so that he wouldn’t be found by those trying to kill him. He could have gone to Judas and tried to convince him not to betray him. But he didn’t. Instead, in those last moments of his life, Jesus set forth to show his followers an example that I pray we never forget. In those last moments, Jesus showed us what was most important: serving other people out of love.
In another verse of Scripture, Jesus tells his disciples that the world will know they follow him because of their love. Is this how we’re living? As sons and daughters of God, are we setting examples of love and service to others? As we celebrate this Easter season, may we never forget the things that Christ did, because of his great love for us. And may His love in us push us to live examples of love in our own lives.
And speaking of preparing our hearts for Easter, I encourage everyone to come out for our Sunday Service this week as we begin a series of sermons that will take a look at some of the lessons God teaches us through the events of the final week of Christ’s life, and his resurrection.
Entry Filed under: Will's Blog