Easter. The time when we are followers of Jesus remember all that He did. Good Friday. Very good for us, but excruciatingly and agonizingly painful for Him. Indeed, the word “excruciating” references the cross (cruz). Celebrations like Easter can become rather habitual, and lacking in meaning if we’re not thinking about what we’re really remembering. But when we are diligent about concentrating on the meaning behind Holy Week, Semana Santa, well, it is transformational. It reorients us. Easter is the visible, physical and spiritual manifestation of the Gospel. Very good news comes out of tragedy, torture and unbearable pain. John 3:16 illustrated in all it’s bloody, gory glory. Our salvation has a cost. Jesus, amazingly, was willing to pay it. Somehow, Jesus received the penalty of our sin, on the tree; paid my eternal penalty of hell, being an infinite, eternal being. Three days late he rose, proving He was God, proving His sacrifice was accepted, and proving He is King over death, sin and any other enemy that can be named.
This past weekend we wanted to create a solemn environment, as we read scripture beginning at the Upper Room and continuing through the betrayal in Gethsemane, the false night trials, the trial before Pilate and finally the cross. Over the course of nearly two hours, we read scripture, read different reflections, watched appropriate short videos, and sang. We hope, truly hope, that our worship and our attitude of reverence and gratitude was approved of by Jesus, who sacrificed so, so much.
The next day, Saturday, 15 of us from the church took 100 tortas (a fresh-bread sandwich), coffee, tea and sweet bread to a local hospital specializing in dialysis. We were committed to sharing not only physical food, but also spiritual nourishment, sharing the good news of the gospel through various means.
Our youth group meets every Saturday evening from 5-8 p.m. In Mexico, sábado de gloria, or Glorious Saturday, is a day which traditionally people throw water at themselves and their neighbors. Although the initial meaning of this was spiritual and physical purification, that sort of gets lost in the celebration. Our fellow co-workers, Erick and Monica, had the water balloons and water pistols ready, as the youth enjoyed a very wet youth meeting. Fortunately most (but not all) brought a change of clothes.
We finished our Easter weekend with a sermon from the Resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, on the proofs and importance of the resurrection. So essential and central to our faith!
Thank you for your prayers for our congregation here in Ixtapaluca, Mexico!
