Easter Reflections

Dear Friends,

This is a season for contemplation and reflection, a time to focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we have been reminded over the past few weeks, this is a time to put to death our old self—one defined by the world, culture, or traditions—and to be born anew, solely focused and centered on God. We must remember God’s absolute love for us.

I am focused on one of my favorite Bible verses, Romans 5:8, which says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That is right—while we were at our absolute most unworthy and unlovable, Christ died for us. This truth is reflected in Bible stories, such as Luke 23:42-43, which recounts the “thief on the cross,” and in hymns like Isaac Watts’ 1707 hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”

Only a few weeks after being ordained, I was asked to preach my first Good Friday service, titled “The Last Words of Christ.” As a young pastor, I had no idea of the lasting impact my preparation, study, and sermon would have on my life and ministry.

Three crosses stood on a hill—Christ crucified between two sinners, two awful individuals, thieves, one on His left and one on His right. In their dying moments, one thief mocks Christ, while the other acknowledges that he is a sinner, in need of a Savior, and recognizes that Christ is that Savior. He makes the request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” There is great hope and joy in this story as we realize how deeply Christ loves us—even when we fail, sin, and think we are unlovable.

The hymn (474 in our hymnal) says:

See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

The fourth stanza tells how we must respond to the deep love Christ demonstrated for us:

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

This season, let us remember to surrender our soul, our life, and our all to Him. As we reflect on the compassionate sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, let it bring us great hope and joy. If you know someone who has never surrendered their soul, their life, and their all to Him, invite them to Bethesda this Easter season so they too can experience the great hope and joy we share in Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Joseph E. Sanelli

Parish Administrator