Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey’s colt. Something I never thought about until our Pastor’s sermon yesterday, was that Jesus rode a colt which had probably never been broken to accept a rider – and yet we don’t read that Jesus was riding a bucking bronco through the streets of Jerusalem. Now that’s real power! Palm Sunday begins a preparation for Easter, or as some call it, Resurrection Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar. Why? Because we celebrate the physical resurrection of Jesus! As next Sunday will be Easter, let’s begin a series on the resurrection by listening to a passage from John’s gospel:

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18)

Jesus begins today's passage by telling the disciples about His coming death. He says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.” Sometimes a very courageous person might risk his life to save the life of someone he loves. Jesus, however, did not risk His life, He gave His life to a brutal and undeserved death in order to save us. Jesus then makes one of the most astounding statements in the entire Bible. Let’s listen to John’s words about Jesus giving His life for us: “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I received from the Father.” Wow! How is that even possible? Jesus, unlike you and me, had the power to lay down His life and the power to raise Himself up from death.   As we anticipate Easter Sunday, we'll rediscover the fact that the physical resurrection of Jesus is the central – and essential – message of Christianity. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead…and that is very Good News!