Thinking About Easter

Posted by Christian St John in Faithblogs | 0 comments

“Christ Jesus, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:5-8

Coming up to Easter I find myself in a contemplative mood. I have been thinking about all the amazing things God has done in my life and I am left in awe at how brilliantly he has orchestrated everything with precision perfect timing. I have been thinking about Jesus and how, as God, he chose to leave the comforts of Heaven to come to this planet and become a man – it astounds me that the God of Heaven should come, not as a conquering warrior, but as helpless baby. Not only that, but he wasn’t born into wealth and luxury, but was born in a dirty cave where stinky animals were kept, a feeding trough for his first bed.

I have been thinking about his teaching, how he used imagination and even humor to communicate with the people. And what about his ministry, how he so masterfully weaved together being a pastor, preacher, evangelist, healer, counselor, care giver, and life coach.

As you can see I have been doing a lot of thinking. But the thing I have thought on the most is the cross. Try as I might to get my head around it, I cannot fathom why the God of Heaven would come to this planet, his main intention, to hang upon a cross for you and for me. I blows me away when I realize just what John 3:16 means. That God loved the world so much that he was willing to give his Son as a sacrifice for all of mankind. That the Father was willing to send his Son to be humiliated, beaten, scourged, and nailed hand and foot to a splintering piece of wood.

It amazes me further when I realize that the One whom John talks about as being the creator of all things (John 1:1-5) and whose very breath gives life would give his life to redeem that which he created. Let that sink in a little.

In my next three blogs I will be looking at the Easter story by asking three simple questions: 1) Why Jesus? 2) Why the Cross? and 3) What Now?

Blessings to you as we look forward to celebrating new life in Jesus this Easter season!

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
April, 2009

Picture by zweettooth