A Season of Hope: Preparing our Hearts for Easter
Isaiah 9: 6-7
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”
This Lenten season we have been preparing our hearts by looking at scripture that points us to Easter. In this present age, the time between the Christmas and Easter celebrations is about three and a half months. Palm Sunday is this coming Sunday, marking the beginning of what is called Passion Week, the days that lead up to Resurrection Sunday. In this modern culture, the week prior to Easter is observed by fewer people and is often thought of more as a “Spring Holiday.” Every year it seems that the emphasis on Passion Week is diminished, but truly it has important significance to us as Christians.
Often diminished or overlooked is the bigger purpose behind the birth of the Christ Child in Bethlehem. With our minds on the latest news reports around the world and our own challenges at home, one might ask, “In this time of upheaval, violence, and crisis here at home, where is the Prince of Peace spoken of at Christmas? Has He disappeared?”
No, dear readers, He has not.
This same Jesus, the Christ Child who was born in Bethlehem, lived thirty-three years on the earth, was filled with compassion for all who were in trouble, and died for their sins and ours.
The purpose of the Christ Child in a manger was realized in the atoning death of Jesus, the Christ on the cross.
The purpose of His birth was His death.
Lord God, from the beginning, You had a plan for the redemption of mankind to be accomplished through the birth, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we grasp in a fresh way, especially during these difficult days, that it is in Christ alone we stand. It is in Christ that we live, now and forever. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.
