Reflect on the following:

What do you like to do on the Easter long weekend? Most of us get two extra days off giving us the opportunity to go away, spend time with friends or family, relax at home or do something a little different to our normal weekends. Our family tradition is to spend the weekend in the beautiful autumnal Blue Mountains of New South Wales, staying with friends, eating, drinking and playing together.

The Easter long weekend has come to an end this year and most of us are back to our normal busy lives. Yet what was done on the very first Easter weekend 2000 years ago has not ended.

“We… see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9

The cross and crown of thorns Jesus suffered on that first Easter was temporary. He submitted himself to their horror on our behalf. He tasted death to take away our eternal death. Then he rose again. And his victory over death and sin continues to this day. He is now crowned, not with thorns but glory and honour.

While our Easter long weekends come and go, how Jesus spent that first Easter long weekend has eternal consequences. Have you accepted Jesus’s substitute death on your behalf? Do you trust that his Easter suffering means you are forgiven for your sins and can share in his eternal glory? Don’t let Easter end with a couple of extra days off work, receive the everlasting rest and peace Easter really brings.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for Jesus' suffering and death on my behalf. Because of what Jesus did that first Easter, forgive me for my sins. May I trust Jesus is now crowned with glory and honour and live with him as my King. Amen