The period leading up to Easter is a time to meditate on the person & work of Christ.
In the study of theology, a distinction is often made between the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Through the years theologians have looked at what we know about Jesus in terms of who He is on the one hand, and what He does on the other. To that end, Christmas is the most natural holiday to associate with the person of Christ. Jesus, the human baby in the manger, is God with us. The Son of God became a man. Easter is that time when we focus on the work of Christ. Jesus took our sin upon Himself on the cross, and was raised to life again on the third day so that we could take on His righteousness. Of course, you cannot really separate the person and work of Christ. You can’t really talk about one without eventually talking about the other. Though the topic so huge, so utterly beyond our comprehension, we use these distinctions to try and keep from muddying the waters in talking about what God has done for us so that we could have an eternal relationship with Him.
Easter doesn’t get as much press in our culture as Christmas. It’s more of a candy holiday in the eyes of retailers. Maybe it’s because the date changes from year to year? Maybe it’s because we don’t have a cultural soundtrack to go along with it like we do for Christmas? You can sing “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” whether you’re Christian, Buddhist, or Muslim. That doesn’t really work with a hymn like “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” While the saving work of Jesus can be played down in our culture at Christmas, hidden underneath that cute baby in the manger, it is impossible to miss at Easter. Christ on a cross on Good Friday and Christ coming out of the tomb on Easter Sunday highlights the central message of Christianity: we are sinners in need of Savior and God Himself has died to save us, but death could not hold Him down! No other religion and no other cultural symbol bears any similar significance.
So I want to encourage you to think on Jesus as we head toward Easter on April 20th. What do you know about Jesus the person? What does it mean that He is fully God and fully man? What do you know about the work of Jesus? What does it mean that He died in your place in order to bring you to God? The Road to the Cross family devotional that was created by Stacey Powdrell, Cara Kidd, and Carol Hill is a great place to start. You can pick one up in the foyer or download it from our website if you haven’t already. Consider reading a book on the topic, or even part of a larger book that addresses the topic. Theology can be dense to read, but it can be very rewarding as well. Of course, the best book to read is always the Bible itself. Read the end of each of the gospel accounts that describe the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each have a unique way of painting the picture of the trial, crucifixion, and ultimate victory of Jesus.
If you need help finding something that works for you to help meditate on the great work of our great Savior this Easter then please contact us via email, phone, text, (or even carrier pigeon). Having helpful conversations about Jesus, His person and work, and what exactly that means for each of us today is my passion as one of your pastors. May the Lord bless you as you look to Him during this season.
In Him,
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