The Easter season is here! Which means there is this silent whisper issuing a personal invitation for us to soften our hearts and see our God in a whole new way. So, what if we embraced Easter with a heart on fire for God, a mind filled with hope from the gospels, and a purified soul ready to protect the truth while extending unconditional love and grace?
A Prayer for Ignited Faith
Dear God, as we enter into the Easter season, please guide us and soften our hearts, making us willing and ready to dig deeper into the story of Your life. Allow us to tune into the true meaning behind the cross, the resurrection, and the hope it brings, and how You shed light into the darkness. Bring forth a pathway towards humble faith and obedience. Grant us time and space to immerse ourselves in Your Word and precious presence. Oh, how we want to honor You, Lord. You deserve all our thanks and praise. Amen.
As we comb through the gospels, we come alongside Jesus and encounter a wide range of events that lead to deep sorrow and grief. From the tears Jesus wept for Jerusalem as He rode His donkey into the city (Luke 19:41), to the treacherous path that led Him to the cross on Calvary (John 19:17-18), the cost of our sin drew out His last breath and brought intense sadness (Mark 15:37), yet still whispered hope! This hope is why we honor our Lord and celebrate His life.
Oh, sweet believer, are you ready to discover Easter in a personal way? Then grab your Bible and get ready to dig into the gospels. This is going to be good!
The Gospel of John Shares the “Personal” Truth Behind the Cross
Read John 19:19-37. Each gospel records the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion, and each portrays the story in a slightly different way, offering its own perspective and showcasing its personal narrative. I invite you to read each account and tune into the cadence of love beautifully woven throughout.
Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, and Luke 23:26-43 all share the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, but the gospel of John, which is touted as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (by John himself), makes this story personal. John holds a unique and passionate account, as he is claimed to be the only disciple who was an actual witness to Jesus’ death on the cross. Many of the other disciples were hiding in fear or struggling with their own guilt and shame (Matthew 26:69-75).
Just as the disciples may have been in disbelief, as believers, it can be difficult to reconcile and wrestle with the agony that took place on the cross. It is too much for us to understand. The pain behind this story can be too much. Questions may even flood your heart and mind. How would you have responded if you were there? Would you have hid, retreated, or wept at Jesus’ feet as He was painstakingly placed on that rugged cross? Do you weep at His feet now and seek His love, mercy, and grace? How does this story become personal – for you?
The Gospel of Luke Reveals the Reality of the Resurrection
Read Luke 24. This chapter in the Gospel of Luke is quite powerful, as it reveals a pivotal point, shifting the story from suffering and mourning to joy and great blessings! It begins with the discovery of an empty tomb, which prompts Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, to report the resurrection to the apostles. Then we meet Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus, where they encounter the unknown Jesus in a conversation. All the while, this is reminding us that Jesus is always by our side, even when we can’t “see” Him.
Jesus then brings peace and hope to His disciples, declaring, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24: 46-48). And it all ends with a blessing. A blessing of divine favor with His lifted hands that likely still bear the deep wounds inflicted from the cross.
What does this mean for us today? Jesus’s resurrection proves that death is not the end. The tomb is still empty. Jesus is alive and always with us. While there is a cost to our sin, thankfully, repentance allows us to receive God’s grace. Not only that, but God’s favor, unmerited love, and blessings are generously given to those who place their faith in Him. How does the gospel of Luke speak to you?
The Gospel of Matthew Takes Us from Darkness to Light
Read Matthew 4:16 and 5:14-16. It isn’t hard to see that we are living in dark times. The world seems to be in a constant battle between good and evil. Yet, in all fairness, it has always been this way, since the very beginning (Romans 5:12).
The gospel of Matthew reminds us that there will always be deep darkness, but there is a promise of a new day when light will meet us, and dawn will emerge. Matthew 1:23 proclaims the prophecy in Isaiah, which foretells the coming King (Isaiah 9:6). This intentional look back into the Old Testament is significant as it points out the stained and sinful state of humanity and our desperate need for a Saviour.
The whole reason Jesus came to this earth as a man was that the world was enveloped and cloaked in darkness. Many were lost. Some were sick, others were riddled with selfishness and sinful lifestyles. Jesus was the answer! He came and shattered the dark, bringing light.
As we read more about the ministry of Jesus and His sermons, which were always wrapped in truth, conviction, radical love, and grace, we begin to see how His light always had a spotlight on the hearts of men. Jesus had a way of calling out the darkness then, just as He does today. His life, death, and resurrection proclaim that as believers, we are set apart and called to live differently from the world. We are to be the beckon of hope, with our light shining bright for all to see (Mathew 5:1416).
What areas of darkness in your life (or heart) need to be surrendered to God today? How can you be transformed and seek His light? Even more, how can you be a light and shine truth in a lost, hurting, and dark world?
The Gospel of Mark Paves the Path Toward Faith, Humility, and Gratitude
Read Mark 9:30-37, 10:13-16, and 14:3-9. Mark gives us deeper insight into the disciples' human nature. Were they really any different than us? Ponder on that for just a moment.
Let’s start with the “messy” side of the disciples, shall we? After all, they were merely human, so that means they encountered Jesus as broken, shattered, and worn individuals. They denied Jesus, hid from Him, doubted Him, abandoned Him, and even turned Him over to the Romans to have Him crucified. They were often prideful and selfish, and even failed to see the nature of Jesus’ mission truly.
Yet, despite their flaws, they followed Jesus, befriended Him, were “mostly” obedient, and loved Jesus. They were active and vital in spreading God’s law and love because they were teachable, held a fierce kind of faith, showed humility, and expressed gratitude. They embraced the daily sacrifices and demonstrated unimaginable strength under gruesome torture and percussion. Their discipline and obedience are worth noting for our own faith.
So, while they were imperfect and showed signs of many strengths and weaknesses, Jesus chose them just as He chose YOU! How can the disciples and their loyalty to Jesus point you in the direction of faithful obedience, humble submission, and gracious gratitude?
Final Thoughts
Easter is the perfect time to gauge your faith! As you dig deeper into the gospels and Scriptures, invite God to move in your life, stir passion in your heart, and ignite your faith. Look at the cross in a new and personal way. Repent and seek God’s grace. Allow Jesus’ light to consume you and shine brightly into areas of your life that need hope and healing. And embrace faith with humility and gratitude.
Photo credit: ©Pexels/David Dibert
