AT WHAT PRICE

For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God in your body,

and in your spirit, which are God's.

I Corinthians 6:20

Finally got Brian out yesterday to get some clothes he's needed for a long time. While he was trying some things one, I found myself sitting in a place where folks were coming and going...men and boys trying things on in private rooms while the women in their lives were bringing things back and forth to them. I sat with one family who was in the process of purchasing their 11-year-old boys first suit. The suit was settled on but the debate was what shade of blue dress shirt he would prefer. I sat with a knowing smile, having been through those days. One outside lady asked the 13 year old sister if she had her Easter dress yet and she said she did and described it to her. The Dad came out of a room with his new suit on, looking dashing. Mom of the bunch had long ago decided she would go out this next week ALONE to get what she would wear. She had already decided that all of this was going to cost a fortune.

The mall had their Easter bunny picture setting with crying children scared of the furry creature holding them just to have a picture taken to keep parents happy. Easter goodies were sold in various places in the form of eggs, rabbits, etc. Folks were carrying bags indicating special clothing and shoes had been purchased. There was an air of exuberance with the coming Easter Sunday approaching. It's such a special day...no, it celebrates THE day.

Brian and I have one son...Johnny....and we love him very much. I don't know of a single person facing execution for a crime where we would give Johnny over to authorities to take the place of that criminal, taking his place for a crime not of Johnny's doing. That would only be a one on one one thing. It's been so hard for me to imagine how God, in His loving mercy, could one day say to His Son, “It's time to go.” Jesus came from Heaven, becoming a human being, God knowing what Jesus' end on this earth would be. I can't imagine a mother standing at the foot of her son's cross, watching His agonizing death.

So God gave and what a price it was for God to give, Jesus to pay and a mother to watch. Most mothers I know at one time or another have wished they could take the place of their suffering children. As I see St. Jude ads on TV and the sick children with cancer, I pay attention to parents of those children. Probably most would take the suffering on themselves and off of their child if they could.

It bothers me how so many only seem to think deeply about Easter on just one day. Easter should be an ongoing mental practice for us every day of the year. Jesus didn't just die for one day. Our salvation is an ongoing privilege every day we live.

We have been purchased at great price and Scripture is very clear as to God's expectation of us. We are to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits. God says that both belong to Him and we are to so live in our physical being and spirits that He receives glory in all we do or say. This is an ongoing expectation no matter the holiday. It's just as important to remember on Christmas day as on Easter, that we strive with all we are to please our Father and bring glory to Him.

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for Your willingness to die in such a horrible way for us not as a group but as individual people. We are needy of the blood You shed but so undeserving. People will purchase their Easter finery...You wore a crown of thorns and a robe mocking Your kingship. Thank You for it all...in Your precious name...Amen