Maybe you're like me and when Lenten season began you had grand ideas for how you were going to prepare your heart for Easter. Maybe you're also like me and the recent global pandemic that we entered and the resulting changes in our schedules threw you completely off that track. Maybe we need to get back on track together? Easter is one of my favorite holidays, and I was talking to a friend the other day about how I didn't feel like I was going to be able to really make this season special. The disappointment that I had begun to allow to creep into my heart was really affecting how I am experiencing the season, so I decided to take a step back and really dive deep into the Word. Here are some passages that really stood out to me as I was reading scripture and looking for connections to the Easter story.
Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)
"For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person--though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow--in heaven and on earth and under the earth--and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
"Jesus came near and said to them, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
I hope you'll join me in taking some time over the next few days and really meditate, think, and pray through these passages.
Bonus: Here are some albums/songs that I'm listening to during this season!
Andrew Peterson: Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1
Phil Wickham: Living Hope
Audrey Assad: Even Unto Death
CityAlight - Good & Gracious King
Shane & Shane - Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery
The Silver Pages (ft. David Leonard) - He Shouted Love
Keith & Kristyn Getty - Come People of the Risen King
- Hannah, Campus Minister Associate
