The Road to Calvary

For many of us Christians, Easter Sunday is the most significant day of the year!  Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, but Resurrection Sunday is about His victory.  Think about it, dear ones, of all the billions in the world, only one man, Jesus Christ of Nazereth, came back to life after His horrible death -  - and still lives. For me, my soul stirs as I remember Jesus' victory over sin, satan, hell and death.
For centuries, Christians have observed a forty-day period of preparation that ends just before Easter - called Lent. They use these very solemn days to focus on what our Lord Jesus taught and went through during His last days on earth.
This Sunday I will be teaching on what Jesus did and how it shapes Lent. We will also be passing out a beautifully printed booklet to be used for the next 40 days called: 'Journey to the Cross - 40 days of discovery'.  You will enjoy a short reading, reflection and a space for meaningful comments for every day of the Lenten period. It's a great way to add meaning to these days & a great time to worship the Lord.
The first day of this special period is called Ash Wednesday.  During Ash Wednesday services, worshipers come forward, and the pastor makes a mark in the shape of a cross on each person's forehead or wrist. Is that kool or what?  The dastardly devil has the no. 666 but we have so much more, we have the cross!
This cross that is placed on the forehead or wrist is made of ashes, usually from palm branches from the previous year.
It might seem gloomy to today's world, but I think it creates a powerful impression on us that reminds us that trouble, sickness, and death came into God's perfect creation because two human beings rebelled and wanted to do it their way. God could have abandoned us, but He didn't.  Instead, He came even closer to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, who became a human being to rescue us.
Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe, because we owed a debt we could never pay. Now, we are free from the debt of sin! Sin has no more hold on us!  Because of Christ death, and resurrection we receive eternal life in heaven.  Those who don't know Jesus as Savior, have a destiny of hell and suffering eternally with Satan.
So Wednesday, Feburary 13th at 7pm come and receive the mark of a Christian - the mark of the cross! Bear it gladly-whether quietly on your wrist or boldly and visibly on your forehead, and if anyone asks about it, tell them: Jesus died and rose again for us!