Matthew 28:5-7a NKJV “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that he is risen from the dead,””

Easter Sunday is the holiest of holidays for Christians. It is the basis of our entire set of beliefs; that Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born, lived, ministered, performed miracles, healed the infirm, was crucified, died, was buried, and on the third day arose from the grave, defeating death. It is this resurrection that gives us the assuredness of forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God in Heaven.

The picture above is from the Mount of Olives above Jerusalem. This is where Jesus prayed before His betrayal. We did walk the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem. It was a remarkable experience to feel that you were walking in Jesus’ footsteps. Granted, the actual road he walked is not the current road. But the visuals, as you relive Good Friday, are amazing. But the one that affected me the most was the “basement” prison below Caiaphas’ house outside the city gates.

Jesus had been betrayed by Judas and deserted by the other disciples. He was arrested and taken to this lower room, carved out of the bedrock limestone. It was golden tan with a low ceiling. The walls were rough and cool to the touch. The steps down into the rock room were literally carved into one of the walls. Stone pillars arced from the floor to the ceiling for support, making the room seem even smaller. It may have been lit by a single torch or completely dark. Jesus was left here overnight. Could He hear the Sanhedrin above planning his death? Had He already decided to complete God’s plan for salvation? Or was He still wavering? Is this where He made the decision to save our lives by giving up His own?

I don’t know if any of my musings were valid, but that experience, in that tiny cell (which I do know was not the exact place), led me to renew my commitment to God and my faith. To delve more deeply into His word, to be more thankful in all things, and to try to live my life renewed!

Easter is a time for renewal. The Easter story is well told in all of the gospels; many of the same events appear in each. And even though they aren’t exactly the same, they all end the same way. Jesus is alive! Through Him we all have the opportunity for new life and a new relationship with God. We are no longer under the law, but love! Love for God and love for our fellow man.

This week, delve a little deeper into the Easter story and renew! Your faith, your relationships, your thankfulness, your life, your attitude, anything you may be led to renew!

Live life renewed!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me today to explore Easter Sunday.