Behold the Lamb!

by Tiffany S.
from Virtuous Daughters, March 2016~Volume 15, Number 12

The Easter Story...No story can be more agonizing, yet it is the sweetest story of all.
It is the story of my redemption. It is the story of the Servant-King, the God-Man, Who
​loved me first and made His soul an offering for my wretched sin. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

​Easter is absolutely my favorite holiday. The beautiful outdoor weather, cheery birds, and fresh flowers all make it a time of refreshment and sweet joy. But what is most special to me about Easter is the story of my beloved Savior. I love to spend the week reflecting on His passion week, reading the story and pondering the events that surrounded His great sacrifice.

On Thursday, I think about the Last Supper and the pain and rejection Christ faced as His own disciples abandoned Him in His most trying hour. 

On Good Friday, I remember His cruel death and thank Him that while I was yet a sinner, He died for me. Salvation is a free gift, certainly. But it was not free to Christ; He paid an enormous price for our sins. Singing hymns about His atoning death fills my heart with sober, overwhelming gratitude.

On Satrday, I think about the disciples...the pain, the grief, the loss they felt.

And on Sunday, I awake with joy and victory, praising the Lord for conquering sin and the grave. Because He lives, we shall live also (John 14:19)! I sing triumphant hymns about His glorious resurrection and His eternal reign as King of all the earth.

​I wanted to encourage each of you to really meditate on Christ in a special way this Easter. Let His great love and sacrifice fill your mind the entire Passion Week. You will worship Him in a beautiful way as you behold the precious Lamb of God.

"The agony, yet the dignity! He died in strength and power
​of His own will, not defeated by His enemies' wicked desires!!
Let us consider Him, and rest in His goodness."~Sarah B. 

Suggested Scripture Reading for the Passion Week:
Day before Palm Sunday:

• John 12:1-2
• Matthew 26:6-13
• Mark 14:3-9

Palm Sunday:

• Luke 19:28-40
• Matthew 21:1-11
• Mark 11:1-11
• John 12:12-19

Monday:

• Mark 11:12-19

Tuesday:

• Mark 11:20-26

Thursday:

• Matthew 26:17-25
• Mark 14:12-72
• Luke 22:7-62
• John 13:1-18:27
• Psalm 41

Good Friday:

• Matthew 27:1-61
• Mark 15:1-47
• Luke 22:63-23:56
• John 18:28-19:42
• Isaiah 53
• Psalm 22

Saturday:

• Matthew 27:62-66
• Luke 23:56
• Acts 10:34-43
• Acts 2:22-36

Resurrection Sunday:

• Matthew 28:1-20
• Mark 16:1-20
• Luke 24:1-53
• John 20-21
• 1 John 2:25
• 1 Corinthians 15