Something else than eggs and feathers

Easter. Chicks, chocolate eggs, Easter grass, witches, children going door to door with willow twigs, feathers… Easter is often a long-awaited time because it means extended time off, being with family and loved ones, rest, good food, and treats… But what if that is not all there is to it?

Well. Most Finns know why Good Friday is traditionally observed. It is a day of mourning. It refers to a moment that changed the course of world history about 2,000 years ago. Three crosses, two criminals, one innocent victim.

What did Jesus actually do at that time? I do not want this post to turn into a long ramble meant to make you feel “sinful.” That is not really my role at all. I simply want to offer you the thought that perhaps this year, just for a moment, you might dare to pause and reflect on yourself and your relationship to matters of faith as you step away for the weekend.

Three narrative threads lead to the events of Good Friday:

1. God created humanity and gave people boundaries. (Everything else was permitted, except eating the fruit of one specific tree.)

2. Humanity chose to break those boundaries. Sin entered the picture and separated humanity from God. The gates of heaven were, so to speak, truly closed to us.

3. God loved—and still loves—His creation so deeply that He gave His own Son to die for humanity’s sins. Jesus took the curse upon Himself and redeemed the entire world from the debt of sin. His life was not taken from Him; He gave it willingly.

   
   

   That event is the only path through which there is a possibility to enter that “Heaven” we have heard about since childhood. Nothing could be clearer than the written Word. There, Jesus Himself says:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Joh. 14:6)

Therefore, as He was dying on the cross, Jesus said: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

By that one act, He paid once and for all so that you and I have the possibility to truly enter Heaven. One does not get there through a grandmother’s prayers or through the faith of one’s parents. One gets there only through Jesus.

If you want to know what that means, I wrote about it at the very beginning of this blog in the post “How does one come to faith?"

Blessings to you this Easter season. ❤️

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luukas 22:42)