an Easter devotion

Something special is going on this week, friends.

It's something so much bigger than this growing candle business, and that I am SO beyond thankful for:

Resurrection Day.

When we celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and we are rejoicing a BIG love. We are born imperfect, but Easter represents the sacrifice that allows us to be forgiven and have a chance at that everlasting life with God (John 3:16!). A TRUE CELEBRATION! At my church back home, we celebrated with music, dancing, balloons, and just let that JOY of God's love fill our hearts on this happy day!

This week, Antique Candle Co.® invites you to rejoice and reflect with us as we humble ourselves with devotions for this Resurrection celebration. We pray you also find JOY in the Easter story!

Jesus Prays in the Garden

Mark 14:32-36

(32) They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." (33) He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. (34) "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

(35) Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. (36) "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Jesus experienced the whole of human life. That includes suffering, both emotionally and physically. As He prayed, Jesus knew He would be betrayed, arrested, mocked, beaten, and ultimately killed on the cross. He asked God to take away this inevitable suffering, but accepted God's will. It needed to be done in order to save the us from our sins. This is so humbling that before the suffering even started, Jesus knew He had to endure it so we wouldn't have to.

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Mark 15:25-26

(25) It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. (26) The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Matthew 27:45-46, 50-52, 54

(45) From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. (46) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?")

(50) And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

(51) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split (52) and the tombs broke open.

(54) When the centurion and those with him were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

Jesus' pain was meant for us. This is what is so heartbreaking about our salvation. The torture he went through immediately before and during His crucifixion, every drop of blood spilled, was our's. But He took that for us and His blood wiped away our sins. Giving up His spirit was an acceptance from God as our penance. Recognizing this is so, so important, which is why we celebrate Good Friday as the Bible says Jesus died and was buried in the tomb on a Friday.

Jesus Has RISEN!

Luke 24:1-7

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. (2) They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, (3) but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) When they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. (5) In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? (6) He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: (7)

'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"

This is truly Good News! The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost, and His death and Resurrection are proof of of that salvation (Luke 19:10!). This is the reason for our celebration on Easter Sunday. Jesus conquered death so that we could live in Him. Doesn't that just make you want to sing? At this part of our salvation story, we can cry for JOY.

CELEBRATE with us this week. We are saved, friends, because He is risen!