A Week of Celebrations!

He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house."...Matthew 26:18. 

This past week has been a week of celebrations!  Actually, the last week of March is always a week of celebrations for the Maxwell family!

Our oldest son, Zach was born on March 28^th.  Our daughter, Bekah, was born two years later on March 29^th.  And our youngest son, Jeremiah, was born three years later on March 30^th!

Over the years, we have celebrated these precious children in a variety of ways!  We have held a large, combined party for all three of them!  We have celebrated them individually on their special day, which included their choice of special treats on their birthday!

We have hosted combined parties, separate parties, sleepovers, parties with friends…and numerous activities to celebrate their birthdays!  It’s always been a full week of fun!

Most would think that having three birthdays in a row is a lot!  But our fun didn’t stop there!

Both Bekah and Jeremiah married spouses whose birthdays are also in March!  Our dear Tori’s birthday is March 16^th, and our son-in-law, Andrew, decided to complete our birthday week…his birthday is on March 31^st! 

I recently had a dear friend ask if that was one of the prerequisites for Andrew to join the family as our son-in-law!  I am happy to say that we would have opened our arms and accepted him into our family even if he didn’t have a March birthday (just as we did with our sweet Rachel, Zach’s wife)!!

We love celebrating our children’s birthdays!  We love spending time with our children and their families and excited when we can all get together!  My husband and I know God has greatly blessed us and we cherish each moment with our sweet family!

However, there is another celebration that often takes place around my children’s birthdays or a few weeks later!

Scripture states…He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house."...Matthew 26:18. 

Jesus desired to spend this time…his last hours on earth with his disciples even though he knew what lay ahead of him. 

Prior to the Passover, Jesus had shared with his disciples…”As you know, the Passover is two days away – and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified"...Matthew 26.2

That evening, Jesus sat around the table with his twelve disciples.  Knowing that one of them would betray him, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body”…Matthew 26:26.

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…Matthew 26:27-28.

Though we look forward to Easter morning…celebrating our risen Savior, the week leading up to Easter is a somber week!

When I think of the ultimate sacrifice…the price that Jesus paid for my sins…for your sins…for all our sins…it’s more than I can I bear.

God’s word tells us…”They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.  They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.  After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him”…Matthew 27:28-31.

Jesus…God’s one and only son…the King of Kings…endured unbearable pain for each of us!  He took all the sins of the world upon himself so that we could be forgiven!

I have to confess…I feel so unworthy of his forgiveness at times!  I’m a sinner…saved by grace!

And the truth is…he would have died that same death just for you…just for me!  He loves us that much!

As we look forward to celebrating our risen Lord this Easter…let us remember the price he paid for our sins! 

Remember…and if you haven’t already done so…seek his forgiveness…ask Jesus you’re your heart as your Lord and Savior…praise Him…and then celebrate the fact that because Jesus died for you…you have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him!  Praise God!

Dear Heavenly Father!  Thank you for sending your son to die for our sins!  Thank you that when we ask Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we will spend eternity with you!  Oh Lord, how I pray for those who do not know you!  Help my light shine for you so that others desire to know you!  Oh, how I love you, Lord!