Where Do We Belong?

04/08/2006

We all have places where we are comfortable, and those places where we are not. We have those places where we feel like we belong, and those we feel like we don't. We need to remember that many who enter through the doors of our church, may not feel so at home. They may be hesitant, fearful, and nervous and feel out of place. Worshiping God together may be a new experience for them. When talking with others about Jesus, things that can seem basic to some may be perplexing to others. It's fun to help another understand why we have a Palm Sunday, where the Passover came from, why we remember Good Friday...in a somber way, and why Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate the Hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Why Palm Sunday?
"...the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A huge crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him."
John 12:12-13 (NLT)

Why the Passover?
In the book of Exodus, God was sending His plagues upon the Egyptians who were unwilling to let Moses lead the Israelites to freedom. "...Moses called for the leaders of Israel and said, 'Tell each of your families to slaughter the lamb they have set apart for the Passover. Drain each lamb's blood into a basin. Then take a cluster of hyssop branches and dip it into the lamb's blood. Strike the hyssop against the top and sides of the doorframe, staining it with the blood. And remember, no one is allowed to leave the house until morning. For the LORD will pass through the land and strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit the Destroyer to enter and strike down your firstborn.'" Exodus 12:21-23 (NLT) The Lamb's (JESUS) blood covers us to this day, saving our souls and setting us free to live eternally with Him!

Why Good Friday?
" ...they took Jesus and led him away. Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went to the place called Skull Hill (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they crucified him. There were two others crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."  John 19:16b-19 "The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation before the Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there." John 19:41-42 (NLT)

Why Easter Sunday?
"Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled way from the entrance." John 20:1 (NLT) He is Risen!!! Easter is about the One and only Son of God, conquering sin and death and giving the Hope of an eternal life to those who will believe!! Jesus said, It is finished...and it was, and now it is the beginning for all who believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is where we belong...