As a kid, Easter brought the beginning of a new fashion season in the Rempel household. Mum usually bought new outfits for us come springtime, but the purchase was usually followed by “save it for Easter”. I don’t remember much about the clothes being particularly uncomfortable, but Easter was also often the weekend when Mum would let us girls stop wearing tights. In the weeks leading up to that first Spring Sunday, I remember the anticipation of being “freed” from the constriction of itchy tights and having bare legs.
As an adult, I didn’t have a new dress or shoes this year for Easter. But, interestingly, I do think Easter is still a time for “new clothes” even if your mother didn’t make any new purchases at Bi-Way for you.
Good Friday, the greatest day of all time, is marked by a deep somber recollection of the death of Christ. The Great I Am was slaughtered because of His great love for us, His enemies. It is the culmination of His Messianic title “Emmanuel” in that He not only is with us but becomes sin for us. But not only is Good Friday a somber remembrance, it’s also a significant cause for celebration because He rose! 1 Corinthians 15:17 says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins”. Good Friday is good because death has died, death has been defeated.
This is also good because of what it produces: His defeated death gives me direct access to the Throne of the King, lavish blessing from a steadfastly kind Father, and a brand new identity in Jesus Christ. Easter is good because Jesus’ resurrection provides me with new clothes. At the cross, Christ and I switched places. He became sin for me and transferred His righteousness to me. His costly payment paid for my ransom and transfer into the Kingdom of Light (Colossians 1:17). I have a new heart and a new identity and a new inheritance because of the death and resurrection of Christ.
And so, as Easter Sunday 2012 closes, where do you stand in your transformation? Do you wear the new robes of Christ the Perfect One? Do you stand in confidence before the Creator? Monday morning is coming. The temptation for us to take up our old selves, our old identities, is strong. We may have been reminded of the power of the cross and the life we have in Christ, but it seems distant and disconnected to the daily grind. But this is also good news! If you find yourself worrying about how you will face tomorrow, you can take confidence in your new clothes! Christ has freed you from the itchy tights of your soul, bared your sin before God, and you have been found blameless. Perfect. Holy. You have a new identity. And this identity will not, cannot, wear out. It will never grow weary. It will never despair. An anchor for the soul. In your weakness, it is strong!
As you prepare for Monday, know that Christ is able. The same power that brought Christ to life is the same power that lives in you. It is the same power that will lead, guide, carry your through your day-to-day tasks. He is RISEN and you are FREE!
What you’ll find here is a collection of musings, thoughts, writings, and ramblings about things I’m reading, watching, and thinking about. It’s my goal to inspire, encourage, and instruct my fellow sisters in their walk with Jesus and their understanding of the Word.
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AWAY with those itchy tights! Well written and soul deep Erika. Thank you!