As we prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, have we really considered what had to come before the resurrection?
My parents had a way of creating fun traditions for our family. Easter was no exception. My memories of this springtime holiday revolve around being together as a family, listening to songs about Jesus’ resurrection, and the fun that came from believing in the Easter Bunny and hunting for those colored eggs. This was all good, and I love the memories and impressions from those years.
As I grew older, I discovered Easter was about more than cute bunnies and colorful eggs hiding sweet treats. In the early part of this Holy Week, I’m thinking about the darker side of the celebration.
As a girl I celebrated the “after” without considering the impact of what came “before.”
Before the resurrection came Jesus’ crucifixion.
Love: What Had to Come Before the Resurrection—As a girl, I celebrated the “after” without considering the impact of what came “before.” Before the resurrection came the crucifixion. #tellhisstory #easter #resurrection Click To Tweet
My best friend, Jesus, hung on the cross in my place. The perfect sacrificed for the imperfect, the unstained for the sinner.
Love: What Had to Come Before the Resurrection—The perfect sacrificed for the imperfect, the unstained for the sinner #tellhisstory #easter #resurrection Click To TweetJesus’ love for each of us kept Him on the cross. He could have come down from it, or not allowed Himself to be nailed to it in the first place—He’s God. But, Jesus chose to stay so we would have the opportunity to learn of Him and His amazing, covering love.
Why Jesus Endured What Came Before the Resurrection
Most years, my husband and I watchThe Passion, which depicts what had to come before the resurrection.
Watching what happened before the resurrection—what Jesus endured—always makes me cry.
Why?
Why would He take on whippings, thorns pressed into His head, nails pounded through His wrists and feet, the hours of slow asphyxiation?
Love.
Why would someone love me—or any of us—that much? I don’t know. What I do know is that God’s love for every person is that powerful, that passionate. He desires relationship, and the only way that could happen was for sin to be dealt with for all time. Jesus’ death paid the price I could never, ever pay. Why?
Love.
Thankfully, the story doesn’t end at the cross.
Our Savior, our Friend, overcame death to offer us life and relationship and love. He stayed in the tomb for three days. And then, in fulfillment of prophecy, God raised His Son from death into life. Because the grave couldn’t contain Him. Death could not overpower Him.
Just as He will do for us one day. After the crucifixion came the resurrection. And that, my friends, is definitely worth celebrating.
What about you? What is the most impacting aspect of Easter to you? Do you have special Resurrection Day traditions?
***If you have a few moments, listen to the song, “Grace Flows Down,” and share your thoughts with me.
Jeanne, thanks for this powerful reminder. I pray I never lose sight of what Jesus was willing to do for those of us who come to saving faith in Him. It was such a joy to be together as a church family this year though I know there were many who weren’t able to be. I hope yours was a blessed Easter.
Donna, I’m so glad your church was able to meet together to celebrate Easter! Ours did too. It filled my spirit to be with so many other believers worshiping the Lord and thanking Him for what He did on the cross and how He rose from the grave, overcoming death. We did have a blessed Easter. I hope you did too!
Jeanne, I have a friend who watches The Passion every year. I really want to. I’ll never forget when it first came out in theaters and having to look down during the gruesome beatings and torture on the cross. But it moved me and helped me remember clearly the most powerful part of the Easter story…Jesus rose from the dead and is alive!
Karen, there are certain parts of The Passion I still can’t watch because they are so gruesome. And you’re right, we must remember the most powerful part of the Easter story: that Jesus rose from the dead!
I love those images–most especially the first one. I remember seeing The PIeta as a child at the New York World’s Fair in 1965. I still remember what that felt like. Wonderful!
Thank you, Nancy. The Pieta is beautiful, isn’t it? How amazing that you got to see at at the New York World’s Fair!
Such an excellent piece, Jeanne! The last few years, focusing on what came before the resurrection has been really important to me because it helps me really understand what a huge sacrifice this was. I am so grateful for this gift!
Jessica, as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized how essential it is to ponder what came before the resurrection for exactly the reason you describe. I’m so thankful the story doesn’t end on Friday night. But, I’m beyond thankful Jesus loves us enough to have endured what He did so we could be in relationship with Him.
Great post Jeanne! As a child at Easter time we went to church as a family & had easter eggs Sunday morning with a Roast Dinner for lunch.
The passion always makes me cry too, sad & grateful tears throughout.
What a Savior we have in Jesus!
He has Risen,
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, it’s fun to hear about the traditions you grew up with. Mine were similar Though, my parents didn’t usually take us to church Easter morning. My mom would make an amazing breakfast for us. and then we’d do our egg hunt. Thank you so much for visiting!
What a beautiful reflection, Jeanne. It reminds me of the hymn “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” that we used to sing when I was growing up. “Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?” So powerful. Doing the Resurrection Eggs with our girls is a treasured memory from their growing-up years. Hugs, friend.
Lois, thank you for stopping by. That hymn comes into my mind at the most unexpected times. But I have it in my head now. We loved doing the Resurrection Eggs when our boys were younger. It was such a beautiful way to share the real Easter story!
Thank you for reminding us of what came before Easter Sunday–the love that brought Jesus to earth and filled Him with compassion for those He taught and healed, and kept Him on the cross for His children!!
Kathy, thanks so much for reading and stopping by!
Thank you for this beautiful retelling of the gospel.
Awww, thanks for your kind words, Lauren!
Such a timely post. I too cry when I watch the Passion. It’s an account that does not minimize Christ’s suffering, because there’s nothing minimal about our sin.
Ava, I’m glad I’m not alone in my tears. The Passion definitely doesn’t minimize Jesus’ suffering, and I think that’s what draws me to watch it. It’s a blatant reminder of what Jesus endured because of our sin and because of His love for us. Thank you so much for visiting! I hope your Easter is filled with joy!
During Holy Week, I like to read and reflect on the different Gospel accounts of before the Resurrection. Yesterday I was reading about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in such great distress that His sweat was as great drops of blood. How He pleaded with His Father to let this cup pass but then surrendered willingly to God’s plan of love for us that had to come at such great sacrifice. Such powerful love! Unspeakable. “What I do know is that God’s love for every person is that powerful, that passionate.” Amen! Thank you, Jeanne, for these reflections. Love and blessings to you! Have a Blessed Easter!
Trudy, I love how intentional you are about preparing your heart to celebrate the Resurrection! There are so many points in Jesus’ last week that speak deeply to my heart. Jesus’ transparency when He asked the Lord to let this cup pass from Him gives me hope for those times when God asks me to walk through the hard (though none would be as hard as what Jesus endured!). I am so thankful you shared your insights here today, my friend. I hope your Easter is joy-filled and hope-infused!
Beautiful tribute and I hope my family remembers the things I tried to teach them. On a different note, I love the photo of the statue Pieta by Michelangelo. It shows such beautiful at a point of terrible pain. Thanks for sharing
Yvonne, I’m kind of in that place too . . . hoping my family (especially my sons) remember the truths we’ve taught them about Jesus, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His love for us. I love Pieta too. It’s poignant. I hope your Easter is joyful!
Praise the Lord that he loves us that much! That he would allow himself to be killed, that he would remain on that cross and die in the most horrific of ways, that he would allow himself to be placed in the tomb, and that he would then rise from the dead—ALL of this done so that he could redeem us, save us, and provide us with life everlasting! Thank you, Jesus! We adore you!
Amen, Melinda! I am humbled when I think about all that Jesus endured because of love. For me. I love your thoughts here! I hope your Easter is filled with His hope!
It is amazing what Jesus did, and all for love. Humbling. I think a tradition we have is saying, “He is risen!” About from the time we wake up. And the other person (people) saying, “He is risen indeed.” It is so joyful after Good Friday. And texting friends “He is risen.” And then singing all the songs with halleluiah at church. It is so joyful.
Such nice pictures of this beautiful church.
Theresa, it is amazing and humbling to grasp all that Jesus did because He loves us. I am very familiar with those sayings for Easter morning. They’re good reminders of the miracle of God’s love. Joy is such a great descriptor for Easter morning after Good Friday. I am so glad you enjoyed the photos. Most were from churches I visited in Rome with my son in 2019. 🙂
I hope your Easter is joy-filled!
Jeanne, such a beautiful post, I spend time praying through the stations of the cross, meditating on all that came before the resurrection, which reminds me of the cost of my sin. At the same time it reminds me of God’s profound love for me. Thank you for this encouraging post!
Donna, it’s been decades since I’ve prayed through the stations of the cross. Like you, I think it’s good for us to remember the cost of our sin . . . which can definitely lead to the reminder of just how deeply we are loved. Thank you so much for visiting!
Wow! What a powerful song. Thank you for sharing it with us, Jeanne. Jesus is an amazing friend. He shows us how to love, how to serve, how to give, and even how to die. His love is our greatest gift. One we can never repay.
Laurie, this song still makes me cry sometimes. I’m glad you liked it. Jesus is an amazing friend. I love your words here, each and every one. I hope your Easter is a special one!
I have been considering what came before the resurrection as well, in this season of Easter. It has been hard yet such a place of need for me. Need in the sense that I need Him and need to know Him on the Cross and in His silence as He was being accused and struck and so much more…for me…for us. I have not watched The Passion. Maybe I need to. I love The Pieta…I have not seen it in person but have loved it since the first time I saw a beautiful photo in my college world history textbook. It is a sculpture for this moment. Praise Him for all He went through for us.
Linda, it seems like taking time to reflect on the crucifixion can really prepare our hearts to celebrate the Resurrection. I loved the depth your words bring to this conversation.
I was blessed to see the Pieta when I went to Rome with my son a couple years ago. It’s powerful to see it up close and in person. I hope you have the opportunity to visit sometime.
I agree, I think when we take time to pause and consider the crucifixion we understand God’s love for us and we also appreciate the resurrection so much more. I don’t have any particular traditions apart from going to a service on Good Friday that is usually very quiet and reflective and a good chance to consider what Jesus did on the cross. A couple of times I’ve taken part in a concert called “Resurrection” on Easter Sunday which is a large gathering of around 2000 people and it is an amazing way to celebrate. Obviously we’re not doing that this year, but I have recorded my part for an online version so it will be interesting to hear it all together. Hope you have a lovely Easter!
Lesley, being a part of a gathering of 2000 must have been amazing! Yes, when we pause to reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion, it makes His Resurrection so much more powerful. I hope your online version of your song goes well! I hope your Easter is special and inspirational, my friend!
The whole great Easter story
could have been a doozy
if angels came in glory,
each armed with an Uzi,
saving Jesus from the Cross
causing Pharisees to flee,
which would, of course, have been dead loss;
can’t outrun an RPG.
But this would somehow miss the mark,
though we’d down the years applaud;
all had to go so cold and dark
at the death of living God
so that Resurrection’s flame
is bright and real, not just a game.
Andrew, this is beautiful. Your poem holds such truth. what you said about how things went cold and dark at the death of our living God . . . and yes, Resurrection’s flame shines bright and real because of the sacrifice made out of love. Just beautiful. Praying for you, my friend.
It’s so amazing to think about what He did for us, for me. There are so many things He could have avoided, could have done to make His life easier and more comfortable, but He chose things to sympathize, to feel and to save. Amazing.
Rebecca, it is amazing and humbling to consider what Jesus did for each of us. I am humbled when I consider the depth of His love for us!
One year at our Easter church service, we wrote our names on slips of paper and then actually nailed them to a wooden cross. The act of pounding the nail was so overwhelming to me! I’m like you, when I really think or see a portrayal of what Jesus went through for me, my tears flow. There is no greater love! Thank you for sharing your photos and wisdom Jeanne!
Cindy, I can imagine how moving that must have been to nail your name to the cross. There truly is no greater love than that of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us. Thank you so much for stopping by!!
I grew up in a faith tradition where we did the ‘stations of the cross’ once a week during lent. Our class would go to the church and then walk the periphery of the church standing under each of the pictures that took you through Christ’s journey to the cross and reading scripture and praying. I’ve never forgotten that tradition although I have moved away from that church. There is a reverence in repetitive prayers that somehow deepened that understanding of what He endured. Happy Easter Jeanne!
Lynn, taking the time to meditate on those Scriptures and even praying repetitive prayers can really help us focus on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I hope you have a glorious Easter!
May I never take for granted what our Lord did for me (for us). May I always be overcome by His grace, mercy, and love. May you and your family have a blessed Easter, Jeanne!
I have always loved that song! Thank you for sharing it this morning.
Joanne, my heart is with you on this. I don’t ever want to take for granted what Jesus did for us. I hope your Easter is a special one too! I’m so glad you love that song too. 🙂
I remember I had to watch The Passion the first time by myself because I knew it would be so emotional. And that was just a movie; I can’t begin to imagine the real thing. 🙁 So, so grateful for the resurrection!
Lisa, The Passion IS emotional. There are a couple of parts I have to cover my eyes for. Like you, I can’t imagine what it would have been like to witness the actual event of Jesus’ crucifixion. I’m so grateful for the resurrection too!
His love and sacrifice are more than we can ever imagine. I am thankful to be a child of God.
I’ve watched The Passion twice, and that’s all I could handle. The first time I watched it, I realized for the first time, perhaps, that not just my big sins, but my petty sins kept him on the cross. Those unkind thoughts about people, my judgmental attitude, my need to control things. That realization made me self-monitor my thoughts and actions more.
Anita, like you, especially the first time I watched The Passion, I realized the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice, because of all my sins. It’s always good when something causes us to self-monitor more and make changes so we more clearly reflect our Savior.
Agreed and AMEN, Melissa! I can’t fully comprehend the depth of God’s love for us!
I have yet to watch The Passion–you are brave! And for some reason I am struggling to stay present to the holiness of these days leading up to Easter. Thank you for your help in this thoughtful post.
It’s a HARD movie to watch, Michele. I find it challenging to stay present in the holy days leading up to Easter too. Finding songs, and when I have time to watch, movies help me remember what we celebrate on Easter Sunday.
Seeing how people reacted to Him in the Bible, even His closest friends failing Him, knowing how often I have failed Him even after believing–His love is just so amazing.
Barbara, I’m guilty too. I’ve failed Jesus. I’ve denied Him in my own weakness. I’ve said and done things that must have disappointed Him. And yet, Jesus still loves us. I’m overwhelmed by that truth!
Oh Jeanne, what a blessed lesson to be had here. I value your words and paused and reflected on them. So wonderfully spoken. Amen and Amen. Blessings.
Paula, it’s important for us to consider Jesus’ crucifixion in order to more fully grasp the dept of His love, don’t you think? Thanks so much for stopping by!
Oh yes indeed Jeanne, It is so important to consider Jesus’ crucifixion so that we can grasp the depth of his Love. Blessings.
Thank you, Paula!
No special traditions, other than binge watching movies about His death and resurrection. My pastor was doing a series on the saddest lines in the bible and last weeks, which ended the series was of God turning his back on Jesus while he hung on the cross. God who can view no sin had to turn away from his own son. Wow that is just hard. And to think he hung there 2000+ years ago because of things I would do. Unbelievable love.
Anita, that series your pastor did must have been fascinating. I can only imagine how abandoned Jesus may have felt and heartbroken his Father felt during those moments. I’m so thankful that Jesus sacrificed Himself, and that His act of love is just as valid today as it was the day He made that choice. I so appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts!