t is pretty easy to assign the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ to something that churches do. There is all the pageantry, special services, and new clothes. Culture is not far behind. It provides "Special Easter Sales", and community "Easter Egg Hunts". You get the feeling that something is going on. We can participate by just going to the mall or down to the park on the right day. You seldom hear a "Bahumbug" cast forth upon the Easter season. Maybe that's because gifts are optional and everybody loves new clothes and sugar candy.

We are just a few hours away from the most significant day of the year for Christians. We are enjoying beautiful weather and scenery provided by God. We may be involved in some of the special events happening in our community and in our church life. We could even be excitedly anticipating next Sunday morning for one reason or another. There is a lot of planning going on in families. After all, who will be at grandma's house for dinner?

Somewhere in all of this there are a couple of important things to consider. Somewhere behind all the activity and the plans is the "reason for the season". The reason is our sin and God's Son and how he brought them together in this magnificent proof of His love and grace. Humankind, with all its supposed progress, still had no remedy for sin and despair. God provided the perfect answer to our universal need in His Son. Because of His love for us He sent Jesus to be the sacrifice we all should have been. Jesus took our place on the cross. The debt He paid was our debt. Thankfully the truth doesn't end in the tomb. On the third day God raised Jesus to life. Christ's death does away with sin. His new life gives us hope and assurance in eternity. He conquered death and by doing so shows us that we can as well.

Last Sunday in our services we focused on how it must have been for Jesus, as a man, to suffer what he did. How much He must love us to volunteer for the cross before Him. The Bible makes it clear that He was "fully God and fully man". What kind of love is it that would cause a man to endure what He did? Would any of us volunteer for His mission? Would any of us be willing to bear the guilt of mankind for all eternity to the point of death?

This Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection of the One Who Lives Forever. It matters that we pay attention to what God did, not so much to what we are doing. The demonstration of His power in raising Jesus to life should get our attention. It should get us to pause long enough to thank Him for the forgiveness and the eternal hope He has offered. It is a joyous time. It is a time to revel in His perfect plan and His love for us. The Resurrection powered the early church. Does it move you as well?

At Hillside, we'll celebrate the Resurrection in some special ways this Sunday. Beginning at 7:30 am we will have a quiet, reflective remembrance of what really happened that incredible morning. Following the service our men will serve breakfast to those attending. Then at 9:45 am our elementary youth will present a special program about the Resurrection from a child's point of view. Our 10:30 worship will feature special choir numbers and rich worship. We'll do all of this because of what God did. We have no other reason. It's all about Him.