Thursday, April 10, 2014

Easter Preparation #1

April 10, 2014 
"By the Way of the Cross" 

As I have gotten older in my years, Easter has become my favorite holiday. Not because of all the chocolate (I do not even like chocolate), the candies, the cute spring dresses and colors or the Easter Egg hunts with my kids but for the Biblical meaning behind this holiday. Each year as this holiday approaches I prepare myself for such an emotional holiday. This year I am going to write a series of blog concentrated not only on the events leading up to Jesus' death and his resurrection but the songs the speak to me about these events. 

I am humbled by what our Father has done for not just me but you too. Condemned to die on a cross and given a crown of thorns to wear on his head. For me? Really, For me? What have I done to deserve such love. Why me? 

I think of all the countless ways I sin on a daily basis and how I have nothing to offer but my battered and bruised self ...yet God sent his ONLY SON to die on a cross FOR ME! The sacrifice that must have been made I cannot even imagine. The weight of the cross as He carried it up the hill must have been unbearable. Then to be put to death by nails in His hands and feet and the crown of thorns on His head. Yet the words "You will be with me in paradise" came from his mouth to the thief who was also hanging on The Cross beside Him. 

The song "By the Way of The Cross" speaks these feelings so well. 

I HAVE NOTHING TO CLAIM BUT MY GUILT AND MY SHAME
HOPELESSLY LOST, I COULD NOT FIND MY WAY.
TILL HIS GLORIOUS LIGHT OF LOVE SHOWN DOWN ON ME.
HIS MERCY WASHED ALL MY SIN AWAY.

Despite the death of His only son, God showed us His love through this event. And Jesus died on The Cross for all of us as a sign of the unfailing undying love He has for us. I have nothing to give in return and lost and afraid. But His death and mercy have washed my sins away... as far as the East is from the West. What was once blood stain and battered, is now as white as snow.  

This is the love He showed for us all. You too can be washed as white as snow. Jesus' death was given for YOU. Accept this gift and you too will no longer be lost and hopeless.  

The words of this song sum it all up and this song speaks to my heart each and every time I hear it. Listen to the words of this song and watch the video if you want and you will see a better picture of this sacrifice. 

"By the Way of the Cross

CONDEMNED TO DIE ON A CROSS
FOR CRIMES HE HAD DONE.
THE THIEF WAS GUILTY, EVERYONE COULD SEE,
BUT HIS DESTINY WAS CHANGED
AS HE LOOKED AT CHRIST AND SAID,
“WHEN YOUR KINGDOM COMES REMEMBER ME."
IN PARADISE THAT DAY HE STOOD
JUST LIKE THE LORD HAD SAID HE WOULD
SURROUNDED BY THOSE WHO HAD GONE BEFORE.
ONE SAID "FRIEND HOW DID YOU COME?
WHAT ARE THE DEEDS YOU HAVE DONE?"
WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, I CAN HEAR THE THIEF REPLY.
THERE ARE NO MERITS TO MY NAME
NO WORKS THAT I CAN CLAIM
HE WHO BROUGHT ME HERE TOLD ME TO SAY:
CHORUS
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,
IT IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE.
IT'S THE SUFFERING OF GOD'S SON
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS
I HAVE NOTHING TO CLAIM BUT MY GUILT AND MY SHAME
HOPELESSLY LOST, I COULD NOT FIND MY WAY.
TILL HIS GLORIOUS LIGHT OF LOVE SHOWN DOWN ON ME.
HIS MERCY WASHED ALL MY SIN AWAY. 
AND WHAT HE DID FOR ME THAT DAY
WAS A PRICE I KNOW HE PAID
BY HIS GRACE I TOO CAN SAY, FOREVER SAY:
CHORUS
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,
IT IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE.
IT'S THE SUFFERING OF GOD'S SON
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS



I, too, have come by the way of The Cross. What a moving testimony to the spiritual events of the upcoming week! Thank you, God for sending Your ONLY SON to die on The Cross for ME!


God is Good... All the time! 

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