Lenten Devotional - 4

Author: LaDonna Buschmann
April 01, 2022
As we draw closer to Resurrection Sunday, how is your heart? 
Is your anticipation for Jesus growing?
Are you preparing your soul to celebrate Easter with fellow Christians?

I encourage my fellow believers to embrace the Easter season with the wonder and joy of little children. And let us remind one another of the wonderful, amazing love God has shown us by sending his only son to die for our sins, conquer the grave, and give believers the hope of eternal life with him! 

When I was a mother of young children, I loved to plan and make Easter baskets and egg hunts for my two little boys.  Another part of our family celebration came from our church, it was a simple poem of the Easter story and six colorful plastic eggs with tokens inside. It became a favorite in our home for several years. Children love to “do again” and so this poem is etched on my heart and hopefully theirs as well. Here it is, based on the Disciple John’s account of the resurrection in John 20:1-18:

E is for EVERYONE, hear the Easter story again, (heart token)
A is for ANGELS waiting in the garden. (angel token)
S is for the STONE that was rolled away (rock token)
T is for the TOMB, it’s empty that day! (egg is empty, of course)
E is for EARLY MORNING, women don’t cry, because (sun token)
R is for our RISEN JESUS, he is alive! (cross token)

One reason we prepare for Easter is to pass our heritage of faith in Christ to the next generation, and to help parents and families build faithful, loving relationships with Jesus, our church family, and community.  God has been faithful in my life, through deep despair, great joy, and even the everyday routine.  Preparing focuses my heart, my gratitude, and devotion on my Savior Jesus Christ.

Psalm 71:17-18 tells us
“O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” 

The Psalmist David prophesied that the Messiah, Jesus, would rise from the dead. Easter fulfilled that promise! Psalm 16: 7-11 says:
 
“I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
Or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

As we draw closer to Resurrection Sunday, how is your heart? 
Is your anticipation for Jesus growing? 
Are you preparing your soul to celebrate Easter with fellow Christians?
Remember E-A-S-T-E-R with wonder and joy!    
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