Thank You for the Cross

I love the crazy range of emotions that this week brings. This past Sunday brought excitement and anticipation as we remembered Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem, then Thursday comes with reverence as we reflect on the Last Meal and His final hours. Friday is a somber day, focusing on the cross and His death. But isn't it awesome that we only have to wait until Sunday to rejoice and celebrate!!

It's easy to want to skip right to the fun and joy of Easter and not think about the hard and deep emotions of what happened just days before. But how much more can we celebrate Sunday morning when we remember what was actually done for us! While the cross brings about intense emotion, it still all comes down to love. Believing that I'm someone worth dying for needs to come hand-in-hand with believing that He is risen. I can rejoice for my life being resurrected this Sunday also because it's finished. It's already been accomplished. For me and for you. 

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." says 1 John 2:2.

On Good Friday in 2004, my whole family went out to dinner and then went to the movies to see The Passion of the Christ. When we left, I was sobbing so hard I could barely stand up. With every gruesome strike and blow to Jesus, I said to myself, "That was for me." 

1 Timothy 1:15 summarizes my personal reminder, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."

While the visual depiction of the type of torture that Jesus endured is painful to watch, sometimes a tangible reminder is needed. I made a tradition of watching the film every Good Friday, as an annual visual for me to keep in mind. I often laugh remembering my mom's response to the film and my tradition. "That is the most depressing movie I've ever seen," she said. "I don't know how you watch that." And while it may be graphic, intense, brutal, saddening, and overwhelming, the overall message is the very opposite of depressing. It is the joy, freedom, love, redemption, and life that came out of it all. 

A Jewish couple from our church back in NJ shared that they actually walked into the the film for a casual movie night and came out believers. For the first time, they felt the tug in their heart that this was Truth and it happened for them. I try to remember that tug in my own heart every year. As a visual person, a depiction of the crucifixion can give that to me. My husband - not so much. We went to see a Christian-themed ballet a few weeks ago, and at one point they actually displayed a dancer up on a cross. As they raised him, Doug said under his breath to me, "Oook. They're really gonna do this, huh?" While I can appreciate the depiction, he'd just rather not see a human performance of His Savior. 

But whatever your preference might be, we need to take time this week to reflect on what was done for us through the cross. Only then will we be able to fully celebrate the Good News this Easter morning. Through reading, prayer, art, quiet time, films, music, dancing, church services, not eating meat, or whatever - remember the cross this week. Experience the range of emotion that it comes with. And rejoice with all your heart this Sunday.

 Happy Easter!