Easter to some people in this world means, coloring eggs, lots of candy,
easter baskets, easter egg hunts, big ham dinners with the family.
For some people it may be the only day of the year they ever attend church.
And then there are others that treat this day as any other day.
Everyone has a different idea of what this day really means.
To me, its all about My Lord and the awful pain and agony he suffered so
that we may all have a chance for eternal life, its about how he died and
rose again - all for us.
The Easter Story:
Jesus was betrayed by one of his own friends, Judas. He was then
brought before Pilate for judgement and charged with not giving tribute
to Caesar. Pilate could find no fault with him, so he sent him to Herod.
Herod was glad, for he had wanted to see him for a while because he
had heard so many things about him. He had hoped to have some miracle
done by him. But Jesus would not answer his questions. So Herod sent
him back to Pilate. Now, Pilate and Herod were not friends before this day,
it was this day that brought them together.
Now that Jesus was back in front of Pilate, he still could find no reason
to do anything but chastise him, and then set him free. But the people
cried out "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" Pilate asked again "Why, I find no
reason for death" But they cried out even louder,
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
The voices of them and the chief priests prevailed and Pilate gave sentence
that it should be as they required.
As they led him away to the place called Calvary many followed and weeped.
They nailed him to a cross and put a crown of thorns on his head, speared his
side with their sword. In his thirst they gave him vinegar.
They spat on him, mocked him and called him names.
In about the sixth hour there came a darkness over all the earth until it was
the ninth hour.
Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
and after saying this, he died.
There was a man named Joseph, a counsellor, he asked Pilate if he could
put Jesus's body in the tomb.
He took his body down and wrapped it in linen and laid him in the tomb.
They rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb, so that no one
would be able to remove his body. There were also guards put at the
entrance to guard the tomb.
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, Mary Magdalene
and Mary the mother of James and Salome brought sweet spices that they
might come and anoint him.
They found the stone was rolled away from the tomb. They entered and
behold he was not there.
An angel appeared to them and said," Why seek ye the living among the
dead? He is not here, but he is risen: remember how he spake unto you
when he was in Galilee, saying, The son of man must be delivered into the
hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."
And they remembered his words.
They rushed into the city, to find the disciples.
Easter story from: Luke 23 & 24
Jesus was crucified and died on a cross for our salvation.
He loved us more than his own life.
He fullfilled the plan of salvation.
That is the ulitmate sacrifice if you ask me and
I am greatful each and everyday for his
merciful and unconditional love for me.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have eternal life.
For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved."
John 3: 16 & 17
BECAUSE HE LIVES
CHORUS:
BECAUSE HE LIVES I CAN FACE TOMORROW
BECAUSE HE LIVES ALL FEAR IS GONE
BECAUSE I KNOW HE HOLDS THE FUTURE
AND LIFE IS WORTH THE LIVING
JUST BECAUSE HE LIVES
Verse One
THERE WAS A MAN HIS NAME WAS JESUS
HE CAME TO DIE; HEAL AND RESTORE
BUT GREATER STILL THE CALM ASSURANCE
WE CAN FACE UNCERTAIN DAYS
BECAUSE HE LIVES
Verse Two
AND THEN ONE DAY I'LL CROSS THAT RIVER
I'LL FIGHT LIFES FINAL WAR WITH PAIN
AND THEN AS DEATH GIVES WAY TO VICTORY
I'LL SEE THE LIGHTS OF GLORY
AND I'LL KNOW HE LIVES
REPEAT CHORUS
