April

Roses are red, Violets are bluish;
If it weren't for Jesus we'd all be Jewish.

It's true—he defines us. One of the reasons we come to church is so we can get to know this man named Jesus a little better. We hear his teachings. If we close our eyes we can picture him on a green hillside teaching us that we are to let our light shine. "Don't hide it but let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

We can see him entering Jerusalem and feel the fervor of all the Jews gathered there to celebrate the Passover. We see him kneel like a servant to wash the feet of his friends. We hear him teach about loving, yes, even our enemies, love as we are loved.

There he is in the upper room breaking the bread, raising the cup and pouring out his love—for us. He prays in the garden. This man with his pure heart prays for God's will to be done.

Can you see him? Are you kneeling at the foot of the cross? Hear his agony. Do you see in his eyes the heartbreak of our betrayal? Friday and Saturday seem to go on forever. Oh let us not be numb to your suffering on our behalf. We are marked by this sacrificial love.

And then comes Easter. As the stone is rolled away, holy God, roll away the stone from our own hearts that we may truly sing, "Alleluia, alleluia, Christ, our Lord is risen. He is risen indeed." Rise in us and make us your Easter people, dear Jesus, make us your own.

Shalom,

Cindy