Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. We remember and celebrate because they hailed Jesus on that day. Throwing cloaks on the ground for His donkey and waving palm branches at Him in a sign of celebration. I wonder if any of them realized that this was foretold in the Old Testament in Zechariah 9:9. I think it’s important to realize that Jesus didn’t ride a majestic horse as the politicians, and soldiers did. He rode a lowly donkey as was always His way. Being born in a stable instead of a palace. As He rode through the city, they sang praises to Him. “Hosanna! Hosanna!” At that moment, all seemed wonderful. But by Thursday, the chants changed. Oh, there were still people who loved and knew Jesus. But the voices against Him, drowned them out. Thursday was a dark day when they arrested our savior and turned Him over to Pontius Pilot. Of course, Pilot took the “easy” way out and let the crowd decide who would be crucified. The crowd chanted, “Free Barabas”, who was indeed the one who deserved to be crucified. On Friday, they hung Him on that cross. I have heard people ask WHY we call that “Good” Friday when they tortured Him so near death and then finished Him on the cross. It wasn’t good for Jesus, but it was for us. If He had not died there on that hill, we would be dead as well. We only have the option to go to heaven because of this act of love. On Easter morning, we enter the sanctuary in darkness and silence because it was a sad, dark day on Friday. If you have seen the Passion of Christ, you have a small idea of the intensity of the torture. When we saw it in the theater, I had to look away. I tried to watch but the tears filled my eyes to think that MY sin put Him there. It was overwhelming. The torture scene seemed to go on for so long, yet it probably was not as long or as bad as it was in real life for Jesus. When we left the theater, there was silence as we left. I think we were all emotionally drained. If just a movie could do that to me, what was it like for Him. Yet, at any moment, He could have summoned angels to save Him, but He didn’t, because of Love. After hours of torture, beatings with leather straps with spikes on the ends, meant to rip hunks of skin and flesh from His body, He carried His own cross up that hill. Because of Love. The thought of what He went through is almost too much to bear, but He did it, because of Love.

Today, as I think of Easter, the words of the song come to mind.

“Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes

He arose a Victor from the dark domain

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

He arose! (He arose)

Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

Our joy returns! Because of Love!

Lord, There is nothing we can say or do that could ever be enough to thank you for what you did for us. But Because of Love, we don’t have to. We do not have to try to earn salvation. It is your free gift to us, earned on that cross. HALLELUJAH! Amen

Shirlene Peterson