New birth and life seems to infiltrate everywhere. The skies look bluer and the grass greener. In life group this week we discussed the Holy Week and we walked through each day from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday. There were so many things that led to the Crucifixion and Death of Christ. Most of the week was prophecy fulfilled. There was much debate over whether Judas had free will or was his behavior determined and if the Resurrection had not occurred how that would affect Christianity in general. It was a great bible study and discussion.
One interesting fact when I was studying for the lesson was the fact that Lazarus' death and resurrection was one of the events that led to Jesus' crucifixion. When Jesus performed this miracle it got a lot of attention and not so positive attention from the church of that day.
The fact remains that unless Lazarus died there would not have been a resurrection. I think we fixate on the fact he was brought back to life and forget that he died. Death is an equalizer. Whether I am old, young, poor or rich we are all going to die and we can't take anyone or anything with us. It takes death to bring life! From Lazarus to Christ both of these individuals had to die. As an extension we will all die. Humans are finite. We have a beginning and an ending.
As I think about Good Friday and the sacrifice Christ made on this day in history I can't help but be in awe at the level of love, compassion, and care He had for me. It's hard for me to comprehend what it was to live when there was no Christ. I know how skeptical we are today and I think the people in Biblical times were just as skeptical. Who would believe that a virgin named Mary would have a child named Jesus? Who would believe all the miracles and great crowds that followed him? This was before social media so by word of mouth people would flood to see Jesus. What an amazing person!
It wouldn't be miraculous if the story ended there. After all the beating, humiliation, and torture if he had remained in the tomb we would not be celebrating Easter. Death was necessary but Resurrection was the catalyst for Christians throughout history. We rely on the hope of Easter!
Easter's ultimate message is one of Love and Hope. It's the ultimate story of selflessness and sacrifice. It's the belief that Christ doesn't ask more of us than He was willing to do himself... including death.
jamie
