The Cross Still Matters Past Easter

Now that it’s finally summer in Minnesota, many are probably fixing their attention on yard work or working on their garden.

Easter was a couple of months ago, but it’s probably a distant thought for many of us too. I’ve been thinking about why the cross and the death and resurrection of Jesus matter all year round, long after the dyed eggs have been done and the jelly beans have been eaten.

Here are some of the things I’m remembering:

1. I still make mistakes, miss the mark, make choices against God’s best, or act in rebellious and self-centered ways.
2. This means I still need forgiveness, to be made new, to forgive others out of an overflow of a deep and personal understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s forgiveness and salvation for ME (and all of us).
3. I still need Christ to grow, shape, prune, lead, and form me, help me conform, and help me be transformed. I’m still in progress, and process will continue every moment of every day on this side of eternity.
4. There is hope in knowing it didn’t end with his death. He makes all things new. Nothing is beyond his redeeming power, incredible and precious mercy, lavished grace for those he is pursuing and who call on his name.
5. The Good News is really good all year round, so don’t keep it to yourself! Offer an act of kindness, expecting nothing in return. Actually pray for someone right in the moment, out loud, so they can hear your prayers (instead of saying you’ll pray for them and promptly forgetting what it was they needed prayer for. I’m speaking as much to myself as to any of you who may struggle with this too). Bring a meal to or share a meal with someone who is hurting, lonely, in need. Love God. Love others. Love yourself.

That’s a lot to think about and way more memorable than what you put in the Easter basket or found out in the yard with the little ones. The cross is way bigger than that, and I’m so thankful. Aren’t you?

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:38-39.