Dress.  Check.  Shoes.  Check.  Basket.  Check.  Candy.  Check.  It is all there, and I am ready to shop for dinner rolls.  Easter preparations are well underway.  Why do I do these things?  It’s Easter!  It’s tradition.  I like candy.  And bread.  But what about my heart?  Have I prepared it for Easter?  Why would I?

Why do we take the time to prepare our hearts for Easter?  Think of the gravity of the situation.  Think of the weight of our sins.  Think of that weight being placed upon the sinless shoulders of Jesus Christ.  Think of the things Jesus gave up for us.  He left His throne room to hang on a cross.  He set aside His crown as King of all the universe to wear a crown of thorns.  He set aside His vestments as Lord of all Lords to be stripped and beaten, mocked and humiliated, tortured and killed.  As He labored for His very breath, He labored for our very souls.  He gave up the company of His Father so He could die alone, covered in our sins that the Father could not look upon.  Yes, Jesus gave up much so that we could have much.  He gave up His very life so we could have life.  And not just any life.  Life abundant and life eternal.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)