Celebrating Easter

  This morning as I was reading my daily reading which included yesterday's as well (did get it done yesterday) I was struck deeply in my spirit. I had mechanically made up this reading schedule but it seems GOD has divinely arranged it by the fact that what I read in Exodus is redeclared in Psalms. I have not been struck like this in a long time. It started out in Ex.32:25-29 when I was struck with the fact that when the Israelites sinned someone had to die. Only in arrogance could I declare to be any better than they. When Adam and Eve sinned someone had to die - it wasn't a physical death they suffered, it was a spiritual death they suffered. To deter the wrath of GOD someone has to die. I don't believe that we can fully celebrate what Jesus did on the cross for us this Easter season until we fully grasp what we have been rescued from. GOD says in Ex. 33:5 That they were an obstinate people, knowing I am no better than they I include myself in what God said to them, I am obstinate and rebellious. As this settled into my soul it brought about a striking reality and a mourning. As I read the words of Asaph in Ps. 78:10-42 & 56-66 it was reconfirmed to me of our condition, in and of ourselves, that by our actions and the attitude of our hearts we do deserve the wrath of GOD.
     We as Christians are to live with a two side coin, on the first side in mourning and humbleness know who we are, what we deserve, and are broken before GOD - the second side of know of GOD's redemption, the wrath we have been rescued from, the Love of GOD in Jesus dying on the cross in our place and celebrate GOD's goodness with rejoicing in what He has done. Again I believe that the scriptures assigned for reading yesterday and today are divinely arranged for us to read and realize as we come to this Easter season. Coming to Easter we need to be reminded of the first side of the coin so at Easter we truly can celebrate what Easter represents on the second side.

  We are an obstinate people who deserve death. As the judgment of GOD, right and true, raised the sword of judgment and was plunging it down toward us to execute us, the Love of GOD quickly injected the cross with Jesus on it between the sword of judgment and us, the sword struck and killed Jesus instead of us. At the point when Jesus died for our sins (for us who believe) and they were no longer an obstacle between GOD and us His Love exploded toward us.

    Until we fully know what we have been rescued from we can not fully rejoice in what we have received in our salvation.

     "GOD Sabaoth, bring us back, let your face shine on us
      and we shall be safe." Ps. 80:19

     Amen.

                                                           Robert L Doudna 2010