Holiday season is here, or actually it's almost over, but have you known the Passion of Easter? Some hints: it's not just a good reson to get two days off work; it's not the bunnies and chocolate eggs you find in the stores, not even the all disgusting (but healthy and tasty) mämmi...
Have you seen or heard about the movie The Passion of the Christ? There is the word "passion". What does passion have to do with Easter?
Easter is actually an ancient Jewish festival celebrated with the name Passover. The festival is celebrated annually to remember the historical happenings of Jewish people leaving from Egypt. The story is best described in the Bible under the section/book of Exodus. You can catch it there.
In short, Passover signified a change, a new life totally separated from the old life. This change was brought about by God the creator in a supernatural manner. Every Hebrew who chose to believe in God and follow His instructions were delivered from the bondage and lead into this new life. The meaning of this new life was to spend it with God, be a testimony of Him to all the people and enjoy His blessings; the destination of this new life was the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey.
There was joy and anticipation in Passover, but I'm not sure was there any passion, perhaps more of awe and fear?
Jesus, the main character of Easter, had passion, but nothing that we could comprehend and understand. Jesus was born a carpenter's son, but claimed himself to be a king; Jesus performed miracles of many kinds, but did not utter a word when He was condemned and punished; Jesus had the right to call if off any time, but He suffered till the painful end. The stories about Jesus and Easter, they are openly available in the four books of the Bible: Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Also one finds traces of Jesus all over through the Old Testament, especially Isaiah 53 relates strongly to Easter.
So, what is this passion? I watched the movie The Passion of the Christ, partially on Friday (the long day), and wholly today (the resurrection Sunday). I cried a bit, deeply touched by the passion Jesus had. It's not a feeling or mood that he experienced, nor was it temporary or a climax of his life. Jesus has always had passion, and I dare say He still has! Though I've seen the movie several times alreay, this Easter I experienced more than before.
The passion that Jesus showed, it is first of all an attitude rather than an experience. It is a passion of love (
agape), of humility, of faithfulness, of obedience, of justice, of tenderness, of goodness, of endurance, of power, of commitment, and of truth. Jesus craved for all those properties and much more, He also practised them in His everyday life with passion and dedication. Every moment is true to Him, and He does not overlook one single detail. Jesus had passion, practised passion, lived a life full of passion, and is still doing so.
In contrary, I am easily swayed, easily tired and fall into the state of "don't care". I also lose my motivation and passion every once a while, at least. I also grow tired of obedience and humility, evry so often. But Jesus, oh wonderful Jesus, He has passion never ending. The Easter portrays His passion in a memorable way: the drops/pools of blood that He shed, the inhuman torture He suffered, the disgusting mocking He received, the vast amount of pain he endured. And He did not need to go through any of those, but because He had and still has passion for each one of
us, He gave Himself into the events of Easter, and went through it.
Because Jesus lived out His passion, He conquered the death and started a new chapter in history. He was and is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him. His passion burns to have us with him, the choice is ours. I have chosen to surrender my unworthy life to Jesus, I want to share the passion He has. There lies abundance of life and a wealth of promises. What would you do?
The message of Easter, the way to enter into the passion of the Christ: humble yourself, confess your sins, believe in Jesus and what He has done for you, ask Him to become your Lord and Saviour by surrending yourself to Him, and receive the forgiveness of sins. Let the blood of Jesus, which He shed for you in His painful passion, purify you. Then you will learn to appreciate the most precious thing one can have: a new life in Jesus Christ, new purpose and value of life, and the passion to live.
The Bible: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Amen. (Isaiah 53:5)
