An Easter Mini-Retreat with Mary
If I set an Easter lily or purple hyacinth next to my bed, I sleep better. The fragrance calms my spirit. If I invite my friend over and the lily is in the room, she gets a headache. It disturbs her senses, and I place the lily outside. Confusing but certainly not a serious matter. I am bewildered this source of beauty and calmness for me acts as an irritant to another.
I imagine the Garden of Eden where our parents walked with God in the evening breeze smelled…heavenly! Perhaps God painted it with lilies and lilacs, roses and gardenias, peonies and plumerias.
I imagine a different garden, one called Gethsemane. There, my Lord Jesus sweat blood as He wrestled the enemy and accepted the cup of agony. Two gardens, one full of eternal love and the other full of evil. Confusing. A serious matter.
Easter power comes from real human blood and death, real human life and breath. During these 50 glorious days of Easter celebration, we may enjoy our chocolate bunnies. However, let us not confuse the symbols of spring, such as cute bunnies and colorful eggs, with the victory of Jesus Christ.
Let us be joyful witnesses of Easter victory. Dig into bold Easter Scripture stories of peace, miracles, healing, and the burning of hearts on the road to Emmaus. Together we walk victoriously with clear vision of our Redeemer!
Nothing is more important for mature Christian discipleship than a fresh, clear, true vision of the authentic Jesus (John Stott).
The disciples were flogged…and they rejoiced to be considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name. And every day in the temple and at home, they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. (Acts 5:40,41-42)