I'm writing this on the evening before Pine Lake Music's Music Atlanta begins. Music Atlanta is an annual gathering of music ministers and worship leaders from all over who come together at this time each year listen to and sing through some pretty terrific new choral music, take part in some break-out sessions, attend a few stunning concerts and premieres, and generally hang out with each other while they enjoy some authentic interaction and fellowship. Some of these friends who attend have been doing so for many, many years and I've been fortunate enough to have been associated with this event for about 20 years. I absolutely love this, and my year wouldn't be complete without it.
Since all this occurs in early January, a lot of the new music that's presented has an Easter or Lenten theme … especially appropriate since there's a good amount of planning for that season that's taking place right now. Amazing, isn't it? Every year – even though we've done it over and over and over - we turn our thoughts and our hearts toward this greatest story ever told and we search for new, innovative and impacting ways to tell it. But then again, it is the greatest story ever told.
We Christians are a commemorating and celebrating bunch. Every time we gather for worship, we recall the mighty act of redemption on our behalf, and we joyfully respond in praise and thanksgiving. That's what we do best and, really, it's what we should do most. That's putting first things first.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15: 3 – 4 NASB)
That's it! That's the gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. And at Easter we have an especially opportune time to share this gospel with our world. But it takes preparation … both personally and among those with whom we serve. The road to Easter's triumph is full of significant landmarks along the way. Be sure you don't miss them:
- Watch for the joyful exuberance of Palm Sunday.
- Look for the tender, compassionate encounters of Jesus' final week.
- Search for the significance of the Last Supper.
- Hear the garden pleadings of our Savior's agonized prayer.
- Relive the humiliation, torture, and death of the Messiah.
- Feel again the despair of a world gone dark at the extinguishing of
- the Light of the World.
Then, just maybe, by God's grace, we'll be ready for Easter Sunday.
