Bunnies. Baskets. Colored eggs. It’s hard not to see all the commercialized “spring festivities” as Easter approaches. But are you seeing Jesus? Guarding our hearts from distraction, and ensuring our focus stays on Him is important. Easter is about Christ’s resurrection. Here are just a few ways to prepare your heart, while also building traditions in the home that point to Him.
Pausing in the gospels
First, plan to read a gospel account of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Create a time each year to have you or your family navigate through these passages together. This week I found myself in a discussion with my daughter as we began to read from John 18. In this chapter, we are given the narrative of Jesus’ arrest. I paused in seeing Christ’s restraint when He was slapped by an official. Here is the Creator being abused by the very creature He created.
In taking time to read through these passages, it brings to mind the supreme love Christ has for us. We again see that He willingly suffered and died for us. No greater love than this! 1 Peter 3:18
Pondering Christ
Another way to prepare your heart is to ponder. Take the time to think deeply on Christ. Ponder His character, His actions, and purpose. When I stop to reacquaint my mind with the sobering reality “that a perfect man, without spot or blemish, willing died for me” it strengthens my faith. There is a newfound boldness and deeper love for my Savior. I want my heart to always be tender and passionate about the gospel. And pondering the gospel does this.
It leads us to celebrate the new life we have in Christ. We need to see again and again that without the resurrection, our faith stands on nothing. This is so important! Pondering this truth prepares our hearts and should also guide our traditions. Ones that are not centered on “spring festivities”, but instead point us in every way to a Risen King’s victory,
Where, death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Cor. 15:54-58
Praying for Christ to dwell in hearts
And last, we can prepare our hearts with focused prayer. The apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19 is a great model to follow. Look in, then out. Ask that your own love for Christ would grow more this Easter season. I have personally found that when I don’t know what to pray, using scripture to guide my prayers has been so helpful. It gives me the added confidence knowing that I am praying God’s word and will over my life.
Pray also for unsaved friends or family to know Christ’s love. Make a list and keep their names in your bible. Using Paul’s prayer model, we can ask that they would “know how long, wide, high and deep” Christ’s love is for them. And our prayers should move us to invite them to church.
And as we approach Easter, let’s pray for more eyes to see our victorious resurrected King. Let’s prepare our hearts this year and in the ones to come, by building traditions that keep Him at the center.
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