Childrens choirs sing, palm branches adorn sanctuaries, bunnies line shelves, families dye eggs and gather around tables. Easter is like a breath of fresh air after a long winter, reminding us all that He makes all things new.
Just a short season after we have sung songs with the theme, “God is with us,” we focus our hearts on a new theme, “Jesus paid it all.” And then there is this week: Holy Week.
If we aren’t careful, it will pass us by without any focus on what is Holy. Don’t get me wrong. Around here, we have been painting cookies with brightly colored icing to look like Easter eggs, rabbits, and spring flowers. The oldest one makes a cross cookie and wants to save it for next Sunday: Easter Sunday, the day where He will be baptized in the presence of his church, family, and friends. He will show his little world that he has decided to follow Jesus. He gets it. Thank you, Jesus! He knows the truth: his Savior has set him free from the wages of sin.
Maybe this Easter means more to me than any other before because my own child is choosing to walk in new life with Jesus. Sin has no power over us because of Jesus. His Daddy will have the honor of baptizing him next week and he will say it, “Buried with Him in death, and risen to walk in new life with Christ.”
{Note: This post was originally written in 2015 when our oldest son was in Kindergarten and was being baptized on Easter Sunday. Six years later, our third and youngest son is being baptized by his dad on Easter Sunday 2021. Our little guy requested that he be baptized on Easter to make it, in his words, “Even more special.” May we always hold the significance of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave with the same awe of our seven-year-old. May it never grow too familiar because it’s the most real thing we can possibly hold in our hearts.}
How can our hearts ponder His grace this week? How can we walk closely during Holy Week with the One who is truly Holy and worthy of all praise? Will we find time to rest in His goodness? To reflect on His unfailing mercy and the truth we find in Holy Week?
Will we prepare our hearts to fully rejoice in His resurrection because we have pondered His sacrifice on the cross?
Beneath steeples, doors will open for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. Congregations and families will join in prayer together. Choirs will sing it with great conviction,
“Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.”
This is the week that we will focus our whole hearts on God’s love that set us free and breaks all chains.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everylasting life. ~John 3:16
May our hearts prepare Him room this Holy Week and always.
Reflecting on His love for us, ~Courtney
Well thank you Courtney for keeping me singing this song today…Jesus Paid it All is one of my favorites, because I need to be reminded of the truth of the Gospel. I love the way you gently lead us into preparation for this weekend in this post. Thanks for the encouragement! #RaRaLinkup
Angela, you just made my day! Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad that this post meant something to you in preparation for Easter and Resurrection Sunday. So happy to hear that the song could stick with you all day and keep your heart fixed on Jesus as well! Hugs to you!