Nick Cleveland
Hey Grace Church! I’ve been praying for Easter and I’m excited about what God is going to do! As we prepare for an awesome time of celebrating how Jesus defeated death, conquered the grave, and rose from the dead, let’s remember THAT ALONE changes people. I’m praying this Easter is the best Easter yet at Grace Church where people’s lives are changed forever! Here are 2 ways I’m praying for Easter this year (from Matthew 28). I invite you to join me!
#1 – Come and see
Do you remember where you were when 911 happened? How about the Oklahoma City bombing? Maybe JFK’s assassination? Better yet do you remember where you were when Jesus became real to you? I remember sitting in a classroom at the church I grew up attending. A sweet Sunday school teacher explained to me that Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I responded. My entire life has changed because of that decision. She told me the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. And ever since then I’m drawn to the words of the angel in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” The tomb was empty because Jesus left, but also so his followers could be sure he wasn’t there. People are looking and longing for happiness and satisfaction in life but they’ll only find when they come and see that Jesus has it!
Remember that moment in your life and let it push you to pray for others who need to come and see that Jesus changes lives today!
#2 – Go and Tell
It always amazes me how we make Easter into just about everything except what it’s really meant to celebrate. I’m not just talking about eggs, bunnies and baskets (frankly those things don’t bug me, and I’m just like the next guy that likes a 100% milk chocolate bunny). I’m talking about the things I hear church people say Easter is about. You know it’s all about meals with family, vacations, and spring break. We’re so quick to tell people about our Easter plans that don’t really have much to do with making Jesus famous other than attending the 9am service. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it’s an awesome opportunity to invite people to check out church and Jesus. I once read a statistic that 25% of people who do not regularly attend church said they would go to church if someone would ASK them. And that’s what Jesus told the women who were first on the scene of the empty tomb. He instructed them to go find the disciples and have them come see Jesus. He said in verse 7, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” What if I told you that at Grace Church on Easter Weekend Jesus will be lifted up for everyone to see? That’s my prayer. And I’m counting on you to go and tell people where they can see Jesus. Invite them. Ask them. Tell them.
Realize that our responsibility is to make disciples and to do that we have to invite people to see Jesus. May that challenge us to go and tell!
I’m praying that I remember what others need and that I go and tell them where they can come and see Jesus! Will you go and tell someone where they can come and see? I believe if you do that we will see an unbelievable work of God this Easter as He changes lives one person at a time through the message of hope found in the resurrection of Jesus!
Because of the resurrection I believe the best is yet to come!!!!! Pray with me this Easter!
Nick