Holy Week- Evan Hillis

Wow. Did anyone else think this description of Jesus' last moments before the crucifixion were astounding? I thought reading it in modern terms was amazing. It created this very real movie in my mind of how it all happened; I could see Jesus talking with his disciples and I really connected with it much more.

I loved it when Jesus was in the garden and called out,"Papa! Father!" Sometimes, I forget and don't think of God as my own supreme Dad, my Papa, and more as the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, which He is nonetheless. However, those times when I re-learn that and reexamine my relationship with Him, I can't help but jump for joy! I mean, let's be honest, is there any better Papa to have? Exactly. Nothing but winning!

Another one of my favorite quotes from the reading was the explanation for why Jesus stayed on the cross instead of simply stopping everything: "It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love." Jesus could've ended everything any time He pleased. He could've struck down those that came to take Him, come down from the cross, healed Himself, and continued to be the perfect man He was, but no. Can you imagine what it would've been like if He had? I can't.

At my church's Good Friday service, during the sermon, the visiting pastor said something that really struck a chord with me. He said this: "Jesus decided that He would rather die for me, than be in heaven without me." While He was in the garden, being whipped in by the Romans, and up on the cross, Jesus saw all of our sins and said, "Ya know, I would rather endure all of humanity's sins, the most unimaginable destructive force to ever be endured, for Evan, than be in heaven without Evan." Wow...

Finally, my favorite happening and image in the whole bible occurs in God's Wonderful Surprise. When the women come to the tomb and, instead of finding it shut, find it open, they're confused. But then, Mary turns around and there He is, Jesus in all His splendor. Seeing the image of this happening, Jesus just smiling this warm smile and Mary running to Him and grasping onto Him is simply beautiful. I imagine myself seeing Jesus and running into His embrace and it makes me so incredibly happy. Praise God for the day Jesus rose and opened His arms to us all!

Happy Easter everyone! God bless :)