Knowing God Ministries: Easter - Just Another Weekend?

Hebrews 11:22
"...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Outside of Christmas, Easter is the greatest event in the history of mankind. Yet, for the world at large - it's just a long weekend. It's bunnies; it's eating ham; it's egg hunts. The true purpose is ignored.

But as believers may it not be just another weekend. May we grasp the significance of what took place for you and me and our families and our children...

In order for Easter to happen, Jesus was so distressed, He sweat drops of blood.
In the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His 9 hour journey marked with betrayal, unfair trials, false accusations, beatings, flogging, to death on the cross... Dr. Luke describes Jesus' condition, " His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (22:44)

This very uncommon medical condition is called hermatidrosis. Lee Strobal explains in The Case for Easter, that this is associated with a high degree of psychological stress.

"What happens is that severe anxiety causes the release of chemicals that break down the capillaries in the sweat glands. As a result, there's a small amount of bleeding into these glands and the sweat comes out tinged with blood."
The other effect this has on the human body is that it "sets up the skin to be extremely fragile so that when Jesus is flogged by the Roman soldier the next day, His skin would be very, very sensitive."

Jesus knew that He was born for such a time as this. It wasn't just another weekend for Him. He was sweating drops of blood because He knew:

He would become sin for you and me. 1 Peter 2:24,
That He would experience God's wrath, so you and I don't have to. Romans 5:9
He would experience separation from God, (the first time ever) so you and I would never have to be separated from God unless we choose to be. Mark 15:34

In His infinite wisdom when God created the world, He knew sin would enter and that it would require atonement in order for people to be made right with Him.

God is holy. He is robed in majesty, splendor, and righteousness. He cannot be in the presence of sin. Yet, God loves us so much. He desperately wants to be in fellowship and relationship with us, that He allowed His only Son to step out of eternity, into time, into a world that would reject and despise Him - to redeem those who would believe and receive Him. (John 1:1-12)

Blood must be shed so you and I can be made right with our Creator.

Easter Weekend, we celebrate a Savior taking our sin so that we can have a wonderful life and right standing with the God of the Universe.

Is Easter just another long weekend filled with fun activities and a day off from work for you? The events that Jesus endured during the weekend we call Easter should change the way we approach Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Don't let it be just another weekend.

Be intentional in remembering the time frame of the 9 hour journey. (In case you're not sure, I'll share it Friday)
Spend time reading the account in your Bible. It's in the 4 gospels.
Be thankful.
Share the significance of the weekend with anyone willing to listen... Starting with your children or grandchildren (if you have them!)

Your comments on how Jesus gave us a 'Wonderful Life'
We are a royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2:5, 9
We are made holy in His Presence - Ephesians 5:25-27
Presented before the throne of the Father without fault and with great joy - Jude 24
A position of authority - Ephesians 2:6

Tween Extravaganza!
Mothers and Daughters (Age 7-14) -
Saturday, May 17, 2014

4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Event benefits a ministry called Education Equals Hope.

Join us for this super special MOTHER/DAUGHTER event!

Myers Park Presbyterian Church- Oxford Hall

2501 Oxford Place Charlotte, NC 28207

Come dance and sing with the girls from 1 Girl Nation. These girls are passionate about teaching young girls to live for Jesus while they're young. How awesome is this for our girls to see such awesome examples???

I will also be speaking at this event. Get your tickets TODAY!