All Grown Up for Easter

I have reached a milestone in my life this weekend. For the first time, I am not going to be with my family for a major holiday. I made the decision to stay put for the Easter weekend. All though I miss spending time with my family, I have really enjoyed the Easter experience at Irving Bible Church this weekend. I really feel that the last few months have been a major growing period in my Christian life and this weekend has meant even more to me than it had in years past.

Maundy Thursday service was a great reminder of the preparation and events leading up to the crucification. As Pastor Andy said, that day was about the Swab, Supper, and Stare. The swab represented Jesus washing his disciples feet, the supper representing the Last Supper, and the stare referred to the stare that Jesus gave Peter after he denied knowing him three times. I remember being younger and going to the Maundy Thursday service and having my feet washed. That was a little strange. We did not do that this time but did take communion and remember that day. We left the church in silence as we prepared for the crucification day.

Good Friday was very touching because after hearing the crucification story, we were all given the opportunity to touch a large wooden cross at the front of the church. This cross was drapped with a black cloth that church goers had written their sins on. It may not have been the actual cross that Jesus died for our sins on but it did bring that thought home.

For Holy Saturday, the church showed The Passion of the Christ. As I watched the movie, I went back and forth between the urge to throw up and the desire to cry. The fact that Jesus went through that horror for me and my sins makes me hurt so badly. It makes me feel so unworthy but at the same time so grateful that he was willing to do that for me so that I might have life after lasting. I had seen the movie before but I think it affected me even more this time than it did the last time because of where I feel I am in my Christian walk now compared to where I was then.

I look forward to the Easter service tomorrow evening as we remove the black cloth and replace it with a white one to represent that he is RISEN!! If not for that, none of the other would have mattered nor would Christmas. I try to remember that fact at Christmas as well as this Easter season. If Jesus had never risen, there would be no point in celebrating his birth or his death!!

No matter what may bring me down in my life, I must always remember that I am not alone and that this is just my temporary home. (Carrie Underwood's latest song just really hits me hard.) One day, I will be in Eternity with Jesus...I pray that you'll be there with me also!!!

HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!!!