When it comes to my memory, on more than one occasion, I have been accused of being able to hide my own Easter eggs. Most of the time this indictment is not a good thing, but on occasion, it is quite helpful, since I am able to read books that I have already read and really enjoy them. One such book has been Jesus by Beth Moore. Each year, I save the last few chapters to read in the week leading up to Easter. She leads readers carefully through the Bible's account of Jesus' last days, and I never fail to be blessed.

I love this book because it is not just the author that leads me, but the holy Word of God reads like a story of love. In chapter 21, the gospel of Matthew starts to trace the last days of our Lord, starting with the triumphal entry.

If it had been me, if I had known that I was going to die in a week, I would have just sat down and waited and felt sorry for myself. But as I read on, Christ did many miracles in that week and told parables to help the people understand. He told the disciples that they could say to a mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea", and it would be done if they just believed. He showed the Pharisees and the money changers His authority in the temple. He told a parable about a wedding banquet; He discussed politics, taxes, and marriage. He gave us the greatest commandment, which is "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV) He tells of the seven woes and the ten virgins, not to mention the signs that we should look for at the end of the age. Not forgetting our animal friends, He even tells of the sheep and the goats. Whew! Are you getting the picture that this was not a restful or reflective week for the Son of God? Can you see that this is not a boring story that can be read just once?

Then, you need to listen to the sounds! The sounds of the angry crowd, shouting "Crucify Him!" You need to hear the brutal whip as it slashes through His flesh as He is beaten, and the sounds as soldiers spit upon His holy face. Hear the sounds as He strains to carry His own cross up to Golgotha. Shudder at the sound of the hammer hitting the nails that sink into His hands and feet. Listen closely and you will hear the air being forced out of His lungs as the old cross is heaved heavenward and jolted into place. "I thirst," He says. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He says through parched lips. Be amazed when hearing these words that come from the lips of the Great I AM, "Forgive them, Father, because they don't know what they are doing"! Can you see it now? the Messiah, King of kings and Lord of lords using His last earthly breath to give us such rich words of hope! And then … "It is finished"!

Now the good part, the part that I could and do read over and over! He arose from the grave!

Though my memory leaves a lot to be desired, and I could truly hide my own Easter eggs, I could never forget what Christ did for us on the cross that Friday so many centuries ago. Even more importantly, I never want to forget that He did not stay in that grave but is risen to receive us with the Father in heaven.

Prayer: Jesus, our Saviour, Redeemer, and Friend, always cause us to remember Your love in dying on the cross for our sins. You paid our debt and we went free! But the best news is that You didn't stay in the grave but rose on the third day and sit on the right hand of the Father. How could we not love You? How could we ever forget? Amen.

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Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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