Many today in our culture generally disapprove of rote rituals (especially my young peers). We don't like to be boxed in, controlled, or told what we have to do by some institution. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand, we are generally authentic and don't like to fake things. On the other hand, we may reject rituals that are good for us.
As Christians, we are supposed to remember the cross everyday, to live in light of the cross and the grace that forgives our sins and cleans up our sin-stained lives. We read great books like "The Cross-Centered Life" and "The Gospel for Real Life" and realize that interaction with the cross is not just a once a year event- the cross is for day-by-day, minute-by-minute life for the Christian.
However, with this in mind, I want to challenge you to remember the cross more specifically the Easter weekend. It's a healthy ritual to practice: to think, reflect, pray, meditate, and worship in light of the cross more purposely, more intently this time of year. Similarly, God gave Israel annual celebrations (like Passover) for the specific purpose of remembering his work in years past- so they wouldn't forget his redemption. Even in our own culture, we celebrate past events like birthdays and anniversaries every single year. Does that mean we appreciate our life only on our birthday and not the rest of the year? Or does that mean we enjoy our marriage only on our anniversary and not the rest of the year? Of course not. It's healthy to celebrate and reflect more specifically on these important events- and none is more important than the cross.
So I encourage you to live a cross-centered life- 24/7/365. Live it passionately, live it intently, and live it in light of Jesus' sacrifice every single day. And I also encourage you to remember it more specifically and more deeply on Easter, as it is good for your soul.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
Great point!
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