Another Easter has come and gone.  I have always enjoyed Easter, even before I knew what it was all about.  I distinctly remember those Easter Sunday mornings as a child: waking up to a christmas euphoria of excitment and anticipation.  My mom and dad would have set out Easter baskets full of candy and other Easter trivits in a method reminiscient of Christimas morning after a visit from St. Nick.

My brother and sister and I would wake each other up and run down the hall and celebrate by ripping open chocolate bunnies and biting thier ears and head off.  (Don't pretend you've never done this dispicable act) This of course would follow with a quick shower, small breakfast, the stretching and pulling on of newly starched dress pants ,shirts , and a tie (at least my brother and I didn't have to wear those wierd stockings my sisiter had to squeeze into) and uncomfortable shoes that always rubbed blisters by the end of the day.

Then, off to church, a relatives house, lots of food, and finally the cream de la cream: the Easter egg hunt.  I loved this part of the day.  Testostorone and adrenaline running through my veines sent me bowling whoever or whatever came into my path as I searched for the elusive golden egg that always held the prize money: the coveted $5 dollar bill.  This was every kids lotto ticket to freedom.  To this day I can't remember what I spent that prize money on, just the joy of finding it before anyone else did.

Needless to say, the reality of Easter was not the reality Jesus Christ experienced on that first Easter weekend.  Through the years, I have become more and more aware of what Easter weekend and specifically Easter morning is all about.  I am always moved, and somewhat schocked at the true Roman Crucifiction story.  None of us will ever really know what that day was like for our Savior.

The truth is, Isaiah 53:5 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to describing the life and death scenerio of those horrific moments of pain, sorrow, and suffering Jesus went through for you and me.  Isaiah 53:5 writes: 

      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.

Notice the condition of Jesus's body: PIERCED  -  CRUSHED  -  PUNISHED  -  WOUNDED

Notice the condition of our Soul: TRANSGRESSIONS cleansed-  INIQUITIES forgiven - PEACE - HEALED

The reality of  Easter is the reality of the price Jesus paid for our sin so that we could have the relationship God originally created us to have with Him because of His son's death and resurrection.  The reality of Easter is bloody, gorry, and to be honest - violent.  This is a long way from the experience I had with stiff clothes, new shoes, colorful eggs, and wierd plastic grass. (Never have figured out where that stuff came from)  The reality of Easter is hard to accept, but necessary for us to recieve. 

My suggestion on how to receive the reality of Easter in your life:  THANK HIM.   Thank God for sending His son to go through the painful experience of Isaiah 53:5 for you.  Thank him for saving your soul so that you can experience the relationship you have with Him. Thank Him for doing something so extreme for someone so underserving.  Thank Him for the reality of Easter - the day your soul recived hope and your spirit recieved peace.