Easter week tends to be a great time of personal introspection. Many churches have services all throughout the week that focus on Jesus’ journey to the cross and remembering what He endured for our sake. Remembering is an important thing to do but know this too…..Easter is not a spectator event. Don’t just go to services and plays and cantatas. Don’t just read the words of Scripture near the end of the Gospel letters. Jesus’ passion calls for a response.

On Sunday we will celebrate that Jesus walked out of the tomb alive. I want to rise up to new life as well. You may think that if you already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior that you have already risen to new life. That is so true! Also true is the fact that coming to new life in Jesus is the start of a journey, not the end. The rest of our life is a process or journey of dying to self so that we can live for Him. We all have areas in our lives that are laying in a cold tomb. Perhaps it is a marriage where resentment has taken root. Perhaps it is a hurt or a betrayal from someone in your life and forgiveness doesn’t seem possible. Perhaps your heart has grown cold because of the way you see yourself. Perhaps you’ve lost hope or you question whether God even hears yours prayers. Perhaps __________________________.

All during this week we remember His pain, His betrayal, His torment. With all that He endured on this earth, is there a chance in heaven or hell that He doesn’t understand your pain, betrayal, or torment? No way. He knows it because He lived it on your behalf. He actually fought His way to the cross so He could finish your pain and give you the opportunity to rise and resurrect with Him on Sunday. What is an area of your life that needs Living Water and the Breath of God breathed back into it? If you participate in this week and let Jesus walk through that place in your life, then on Sunday there will be more to celebrate than just His return, because friend, you will rise and walk out of that grave in an area of your life with Him!