Contemplating the Cross This Easter: A Call to Live Differently
As Easter draws near, we are invited to contemplate the profound mystery of the Cross. The Cross is not just a symbol of suffering and death, but a powerful expression of love, grace, and transformation. To reflect on the Cross is to journey into the very heart of God’s love—a love that embraces suffering and enters our pain to heal and redeem us. This Easter let’s reflect on the Cross and explore practical ways to live out its message in our daily lives.
Embrace Love through Forgiveness
On the Cross, Jesus demonstrated the radical nature of love by forgiving those who persecuted Him. His words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” offer a profound model of grace. This Easter, take time to reflect on relationships in your life where forgiveness may be needed. Who might you need to forgive? Whether it’s a small offense or a deep wound, forgiving others frees your heart and invites God’s peace. Begin by praying for the strength to forgive and consider reaching out to someone you’ve been holding bitterness toward. As you do, allow God’s grace to soften your heart.
Let Go of Control
Jesus’s journey to the Cross is the ultimate surrender. In His final moments, He chose to trust the Father completely, even in the face of abandonment and suffering. This Easter, examine areas of your life where you are trying to control outcomes or hold on to your own plans. Surrendering control isn’t easy, but it invites God’s will into your life in powerful ways. Consider taking time each day to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” surrendering your concerns to God and allowing Him to guide you.
Live Sacrificially
The Cross teaches us that love is not just a feeling—it’s a choice to lay down our lives for others. Jesus’s sacrifice calls us to examine how we can serve others with selflessness and love. This Easter, find practical ways to love those around you. It might be as simple as offering your time to help a neighbor, volunteering at a local shelter, or giving to someone in need. Love requires action. Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities He places before you to show love, whether in small acts of kindness or larger gestures of service.
Move Toward New Life
The Cross is not the end; it’s the doorway to resurrection. Jesus’s death defeated death, and His resurrection brings us new life. As you reflect on the Cross this Easter, think about areas in your life that feel dead or stagnant—relationships, dreams, or habits that need to be resurrected. Take a step toward new life by committing to a new beginning. Maybe it’s starting a new spiritual practice, like daily prayer or Bible reading, or letting go of an unhealthy habit. This Easter, allow the power of Christ’s resurrection to awaken hope in you and lead you into a life filled with grace and possibility.
Seek Peace and Reconciliation
The Cross is the ultimate symbol of reconciliation, where Jesus brought peace between God and humanity. This Easter, look for opportunities to restore broken relationships. Whether it’s reaching out to someone you’ve been distant from or mending a rift in your family, actively seek peace. Pray for reconciliation and take steps toward healing. Sometimes that means having difficult conversations, being vulnerable, or asking for forgiveness. As you do, remember that peace begins with you and can ripple out into the world.
Practical Steps This Easter:
Spend time in prayer, reflecting on areas of your life where you need to let go of control or offer forgiveness.
Serve others in a meaningful way—whether through volunteer work, a kind gesture, or helping a neighbor.
Recommit to spiritual practices that draw you closer to God, such as prayer, meditation, or attending church services.
Identify areas of your life that need resurrection—relationships, habits, or dreams—and take intentional steps to bring them back to life.
Seek peace and reconciliation in your relationships by reaching out and offering love and forgiveness.
As we reflect on the Cross this Easter, let us remember that it calls us to live differently—living with love, surrender, forgiveness, and hope. May we embrace these practical steps and allow the love poured out on the Cross to transform our lives and the world around us.
Sandy Coelho serves as Lay Leadership Development Coordinator at the Baptist Churches of New England.