Easter, for me, has always been a mixed bag of emotions crammed into a short period of time. When I read the Easter story beginning with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week, I feel the joy and exuberance of everyone as Jesus rides into town on the donkey. That is followed by the sad and somber experience of the Last Supper when Jesus tried to explain what was about to happen; then to the anguish of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Jesus was arrested and “tried” the cheers of the crown became jeers and shouts of “crucify Him” leading to the horror of the cross. The sadness, confusion and stunned followers spent a miserable Friday evening and Saturday before the great joy and more confusion of Sunday morning. What a rapid range of emotions in less than a week! I’ve never found anything “good” about “Good Friday” and I’ve often wondered who came up with that name. I understand that it had to be the way it was, and just how greatly I benefit from that horrible day; but it still doesn’t qualify as a “good” day to me.
The celebration of the Messiah’s birth and His Resurrection are the foundation of the Christian faith. It is essential for us to observe and celebrate both occasions. I hope you all have a great Easter celebration and I hope we all experience to some degree the spectrum of emotions of the week.
carterscues 