Happy Easter!

As I was putting my kids to bed earlier this week, I turned on a CD for them to listen to as they fell asleep.  It happened to be a Christmas CD.  While I prayed with them and rocked them for a few minutes I found myself singing along to The First Noel.

It really hit me, and I tried to explain to them what I was thinking, how that tiny little baby, that sweet innocent babe wrapped in swaddling clothes that we celebrated just a few months ago was beaten and scourge and killed for us.


We often see Jesus in singular moments in time.  We see him wrapped up in his mother's arms in a stable, we see him being baptized by John, we see him calling his disciples, teaching crowds, healing hurting people or dying on a cross. 

But when we see that baby we also need to see that bleeding, agonized man hanging on the cross.  When we picture him multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed thousands of people, overlaid on that image should be Jesus crying out in pain that he is feeling because of us.

At church last week a sweet old man said that each time we sin just a little, one of those - "it's not a big deal" sins - we need to remember that that one little sin cost Jesus a drop of his blood.  It was paid for by the spilt blood of the Christ.

Today is Maundy Thursday.  The day we remember The Last Supper Jesus had with the disciples where Jesus instituted communion and washed his disciples feet.  He was then arrested, put to trial, and committed to death.

But it all comes down to one thing:  That little, tiny baby.  That young man teaching at the temple.  That teacher, healer, and friend.  He died and he rose again and because of him our sins can be forgiven and we can spend eternity in paradise with him.  Praise the Lord!