Easter: Jesus’ Great Invitation

“Thus says the Lord: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”’  Matthew 11:28

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As we approach Holy Week, and we celebrate the beginning of spring, it is a great time to review the above Scripture, one I call, “Jesus’ Great Invitation.” This is Jesus’ invitation to all people to come to him, and in return, He will give you peace, joy, rest for your soul, and discernment for your mind. Best of all, He died on the cross for your sins, and mine, and in so doing, granted Eternal life to all who follow Him with fervor.

In essence, we all sin. Every last one of us sins. We all break the 10 Commandments through our intermittent participation in the 7 deadly sins:

1)      Pride

2)      Envy

3)      Gluttony

4)      Lust

5)      Anger

6)      Greed

7)      Sloth

Imagine how different this world would be if we all recognized our own sins, repented of them, and turned back to God. Would it be like heaven on earth??? Clearly, the Bible tells us the day is coming when we will be in the full presence of God in paradise. However, in the here and now, we must learn to deal with our own shortcomings, and the sins of those around us. With God’s help, we must continue to grow in discernment, love and practice forgiveness with those who offend us. We must ask for forgiveness again and again when we have done something wrong to hurt another. For to do so is an act of love in accordance with Jesus’ 2 part mandate to love God, and to love one another.

No one is exempt from the throws of sin that separate us from each other, and most importantly, from God. Yet, for Christian believers, the debt of our salvation has been already paid by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Because of His unconditional love and his unmerited favor and grace, we are free to seek God in earnest, and place our hope in Him for all of eternity with confidence. We are effectively able to battle our sinful ways DAILY through the power of the Holy Spirit, putting aside anything and everything that keeps us apart from the love of God and each other.

No sin is too great for the Love of Jesus to cover over and remove, even wipe the slate clean, as if it never happened. For our God is a loving, merciful, forgiving God, one who always sees the best in us. He stands in wait for us to but call out His name, “Abba Father!”

Far beyond any relationship we have here on Earth, Jesus is there for us. To heal, to forgive, to protect, to comfort, to guide… Jesus beckons humanity closer and closer to himself, and wraps his arms around his flock.

So as we venture into Holy Week, what will you do to move closer to Our Dear Lord, Jesus Christ?

Will you go to his house to commemorate Holy Thursday and the last supper?

Will you be there at church for the Triduum, the 3 day celebration that starts on Holy Thursday, the feast of the Last Supper, on Good Friday for the reading of the Passion, the crucifixion and share in the pain Jesus experienced on the cross??

Yes, Easter is upon us and we will never be the same. Let’s celebrate this beloved holy day this year like we never have before. Don your fanciest clothes. Plan a nice brunch for after church services and bring family or a friend with you to church. But most of all, let’s remember with gratitude the unparalleled sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and me, and make this a special day to remember!

Let this Easter be a fresh, new beginning for you and yours!

Copyright 2016   |   Adele M. Gill   |   www.theinspirationcafeblog.net