For By Grace

I've really, REALLY been looking forward to these current days as we mark, remember, and celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior. I always anticipate the Easter season, but I think I'm particularly eager this year due to the climate of our nation: poor economy. job loss. violence. The news is one heartbreaking story after another. All around us, the world seems hopeless.

But Easter reminds us that, for the believer, there is hope. His name is Jesus.

There are many traditions I hold close to my heart throughout these days, including the communion service we'll share with our church family tonight and the Good Friday service will attend tomorrow afternoon. Both of these are solemn, reflective services as we consider the incomprehensible love of God.

Friday night, though, is a personal family tradition that I find particularly meaningful. A few years ago, my husband made a small cross out of lumber. Tomorrow night, he'll lead our family in a brief devotional. He'll contrast our great sin and unrighteousness with God's perfection and holiness. He'll explain that our sin separates us from this holy God. But God (there's that phrase again), in His great love and mercy, made a way for us to come to Him through His Son. Jesus took the penalty of our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross.

After his reading of Scripture, we'll listen to and reflect on the words of "Worthy Is the Lamb." While doing this, we'll each take slips of red paper and write down those things...those sins...with which we struggle. And then one by one, we'll nail them to the wooden cross. This is a moving time as we're reminded that it's OUR sin that nailed Jesus to the cross.

It feels sad. depressing. hopeless.

It's Friday but Sunday is coming.

For on Sunday morning, we awake and spy the cross on the mantle. No longer is it covered in red slips of paper. Instead, it's draped in a glorious, victorious purple scarf. HE IS RISEN! Jesus conquered sin and death! He's alive! Through Him, we are washed clean. We have access to the Father.

Relationship. Forgiveness. Hope.

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked...But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ---by grace you have been saved---and raised us up with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:1, 4-8