Getting Your Heart Right

Warning: Jesus talk ahead.

This is an exciting week for Jews and Christians. Tomorrow, Friday, night begins Passover. This eight-day event honors the freeing of the Jewish slaves in Egypt from bondage. I had the privilege of attending seder, the celebratory meal, a couple of times over the years. It is a sobering meal because it reminds attendees of the time that the spirit of God passed over the Jewish homes when bringing death to the Egyptian firstborn. But it is also a celebratory meal because it commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.

Some of the commemorative food isn’t tasty – bitter herbs, veggies dipped in salt water ¬– but the celebratory meal is fantastic! Turkey, brisket, matzah ball soup and latkes (potato pancakes) were on the menu when I attended seder. Needless to say, no one left the house hungry.

For Christians, this entire week, starting last Sunday ¬¬– Palm Sunday – is a time for reflection that ends in triumph. At many local churches, palm fronds were given to congregants in memory of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday (also known as “Spy Wednesday”) are typically quiet. Things heat up on Maundy Thursday (tonight) and commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus dined with His Twelve Apostles. Some of the local churches will hold Last Supper recreations tonight and attending one is a good way to prepare one’s heart for Easter.

Good Friday, tomorrow, is a time of sorrow when followers of Jesus witnessed Him being betrayed by Judas, condemned by Pontius Pilate and led through the streets to Golgotha dragging the cross on which He would be crucified. Ultimately, Jesus died upon the cross. At most Catholic churches, Good Friday services are three hours in duration – from noon to 3 p.m. – and, through prayer and under the direction of the priest, the Stations of the Cross are used to convey the journey of Jesus’ last day on earth.

After the crucifixion, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and, because the Sabbath was approaching, quickly laid in a tomb. Holy Saturday is a day of anticipation for Jesus’ followers.

On Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, it is revealed that the tomb in which Jesus was laid is empty, and his followers celebrate the resurrection of which He spoke.

In many homes, Easter is a day of feasting to celebrate the end of the Lenten fast.

Regarding Easter eggs: there really is no religious attachment to them other than they represent new life. There are no references in the Bible regarding coloring eggs although their appearance can be found throughout history.

To be honest, I don’t feel that I have prepared my heart for the Easter celebration in years. Yes, I’ve prepared the Easter meal and gotten the Easter candy, but this year I think I will take the time to invest my heart and soul in preparing for Resurrection Sunday. For Christians, it is one of the biggest celebrations of the faith. If Jesus was willing to die on a cross for us, shouldn’t we be willing to spend some time acknowledging that sacrifice?

  robin goldsworthy