I know that’s a strange title, but it sums up how I feel about the conclusion of Lent. Ever since I saw a movie with my youth group at church years ago, I have dreaded the yearly remembrance of events that occurred during the last week of Jesus’ life on earth. The beginning, Palm Sunday, was joyful enough as crowds in Jerusalem excitedly welcomed who they thought would release them from the oppressive Roman rule. However, as the week progressed, everything became more somber and saddening.

The timeline progressed from that welcome through these events: Monday – Jesus released sacrificial animals and cleansed the temple. Tuesday – Jesus taught at the temple. Wednesday – Jesus’ disciple, Judas, betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. Thursday – Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and celebrated the Last Supper, saying that the bread and wine represented His body and blood that would be shed for them. Friday – Jesus, having been brutalized with a flesh-tearing whip, mocked and spat upon by soldiers, and crowned with a painful spiked headpiece was crucified on a cross as the world was plunged into darkness. Saturday – Jesus was sealed in a borrowed tomb. Sunday – finally good news! Jesus is resurrected and appears to Mary in the garden near the tomb.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and my trust in Him as my Savior, I am accepted by God, even though I am a sinful person. Let’s be honest – we are all sinful, even “good people.” We so needed a Savior because we could never measure up on our own. How gracious of a good God to provide a way to bring us to Him, even though it was a traumatic process. Sin is so awful, it required an equally awful payment. So I am grateful, even though I grieve what my Jesus had to go through for me. Pause and remember this week what Jesus did for you.

God bless – Sue