Preparing for Easter

We are less than a week away from Easter. For the bulk of our society, the preparation will extend to getting well-stocked on chocolate and arranging the weekend away.

But Easter is the high point of the Christian year. We remember the transforming moment of history. On Good Friday, we recall God Himself being torn apart as Christ bore our sins on the cross. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the destruction of our greatest enemy (death) and the prospect of life eternal.

Given the importance of this weekend, surely there is more we have to bear in mind this week than cocoa and a few days off.  So how can we best prepare?  One way is to look back to how Jesus prepared with his friends.  In John 13, we are told how Jesus spent part of his final meal with them: washing feet.  He knew the hour had come for him to leave this world (13.1) and that Judas Iscariot was committed to betrayal (13.2). So he left the table and started doing what was normally the task of lowly servants. On dusty unsealed roads, sandalled feet would get fairly unpleasant and required cleaning – but not by an esteemed teacher.  But he explained it this way:

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:12-17)

He did it that they might grasp what was about to happen - and what Christ’s life was all about – was service. The challenge in preparing for Easter to make sure you reflect over the weekend the service we are celebrating. Two ways to attempt it:

First, create the circumstances to recall how you’ve been served. The great joy of Easter is the Jesus, not us, utters the words ‘it is finished’.  The cleansing of sin and promise of new life is completely done for us. We celebrate because we don’t have to go on great, arduous pilgrimages or complex rituals. But it is important that we take the time to appreciate the gift. Make space in the week to read the passion narratives (Matthew’s on Monday, Mark’s on Tuesday etc) and to pray.  Plan the services you’ll be at to join with God’s people and celebrate together.  Even if you are going to be away, check out the local services.  Create the circumstances to recall His service.

Second, consider who you are serving.  Jesus sacrifice is a model for us - and it would be foolish for our celebration of Easter to become self-interested. Set aside some of the extra time off to help those with need.  Many of our friends and neighbours don’t know the comfort of this weekend; consider who you could serve by sharing the message of the Easter victory with.

Framed in service, I trust this Easter will be a high point of your year!

In Him,

Mark Smith
Assistant Pastor