An Easter Message

During this Easter Season, I would like to share my reflections on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I know that He was born into this world, experienced both good times and tough times, separated Himself from others in order to pray as well as felt physical and emotional pain.

He said that He came so that we can learn how to have a relationship with God, the father. He also said that anyone who knew the will of His father and did it was His mother, brother or sister. I think what Jesus was trying to say was: "If we know the will of God and do it, then we can treat Him (Jesus) just like family". Which means we can call on Him at any time. In my mind there is no doubt that Jesus really is the Son of God.

But do you want to know what really excites me? This Easter season is what really gets my blood boiling and recharges my faith. This is the season that reminds me of His true purpose. Yes, I know that He was falsely accused, beaten and tried in both the Jewish and Roman courts. I also know that He was convicted and sentenced to die.

When the Roman governor (who knew Jesus was innocent of these charges) offered to execute Barabbas (a known criminal) in place of Jesus, the crowd pitched such a fit that the governor went ahead and signed Jesus’ execution papers. As a result, Jesus was executed on a cross at Calvary. So far, nothing happened to Jesus that hasn't happened to many other innocent victims that were executed. However, now it’s time for the rest of the story.

I believe that the purpose of the death and resurrection was to show us that our life is more than an earthen vessel. When Jesus’ physical body expired on the cross His life force, or spirit, some say went down into hell to handle His business with the devil and show him what ‘s up. I also like to think that He also went and had a talk with His father (ABBA). Then on the 3rd day He came back and picked up that worthless lump of clay that was His body to show others that there is life after death. Didn’t Jesus say He would come back for us?

I believe that the cross was not an implement of death after all but a pedestal where Jesus was lifted up so that everyone could relate to His humanity and call on Him whenever they wish. The real purpose of the Easter Season is to teach us not to fear death, to show us that death has no sting and inform us that the devil is a liar. This is the reason that Easter excites me so much!

And oh, by the way, the Aramaic word "ABBA" is really an intimate translation for the word father. The Aramaic word "BAR" translates as “son of”. Therefore BAR-ABBAS really means son of the father. Aren’t we sons and daughters of God, the father? Jesus was substituted on the cross for us and our sins as well as to show us what’s REALLY UP.

Have a Happy Easter, I will!