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I love anything written by Max Lucado. The following excerpts are from Lucado's online daily devotional, relevant to the meaning of Easter. I love the bunnies and chicks and baskets that are part of the Easter/Spring celebration, but I cherish the true story of Easter.
I will be spending Easter with my husband, our daughter, and our two granddaughters at my parents home in Tennessee. My Easter will be blessed and I'm wishing each of you a wonderful and blessed Easter too!
March 21:
Never More Human
By Max Lucado
“He poured out His soul unto death.” Isaiah 53:12 NKJV
The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night . . .
See that solitary figure? . . . Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth . . .
That’s Jesus . . . God was never more human than at this hour. God was never nearer to us than when he hurt.
March 22:
He Planned It
By Max Lucado
“This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” Acts 2:23 NIV
Jesus planned his own sacrifice.
He intentionally planted the tree from which his cross would be carved.
He willingly placed the iron ore in the heart of earth from which the nails would be cast . . .
Christ was the one who set in motion the political machinery that would send Pilate to Jerusalem . . .
He didn’t have to do it—but he did.
March 27:
Three O’Clock
By Max Lucado
“At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours.” Matthew 27:45 TEV
Of course the sky is dark; people are killing the Light of the World . . .
The sky weeps. And a lamb bleats. Remember the time of the scream? “At about three o’clock Jesus cried out.” Three o’clock in the afternoon, the hour of the temple sacrifice. Less than a mile to the east, a finely clothed priest leads a lamb to the slaughter, unaware that his work is futile. Heaven is not looking at the lamb of man but at “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, RSV).
March 28:
A Tree That Will Never Fall
By Max Lucado
“God is strong and can help you not to fall.” Jude 24
Can God really keep you from falling?
To answer that, go to a . . . tree on a barren hill. A tree older than time. A tree that covers the mistakes of your past and the problems of your future. Be assured—that tree will never fall.
March 29:
Such Love
By Max Lucado
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34, NIV
How Jesus, with a body wracked with pain, eyes blinded by his own blood, and lungs yearning for air, could speak on behalf of some heartless thugs is beyond my comprehension. Never, never have I seen such love. If ever a person deserved a shot at revenge, Jesus did. But he didn’t take it. Instead he died for them. How could he do it? I don’t know. But I do know that all of a sudden my wounds seem very painless. My grudges and hard feelings are suddenly childish.
March 31:
On Behalf Of Jesus
By Max Lucado
“This man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:41
Finally someone is defending Jesus. Peter fled. The disciples hid. The Jews accused. Pilate washed his hands. Many could have spoken on behalf of Jesus, but none did. Until now.
Kind words from the lips of a thief. He makes his request. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
The Savior turns his heavy head toward the prodigal child and promises, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
Is there a more beautiful, more comforting passage in the Bible? This is the contemporary wording from The Message, one of my favorite translations of the Bible for sheer ease in reading. If you love the 23rd Psalm you would also enjoy reading Max Lucado's "Traveling Light", an in depth word by word study of Psalm 23. It's wonderful.
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