So Much More

I live in a state that loves football. High School, College, Professional - if it has a pigskin - it's loved. It can get quite maddening at times. Mainly because I love baseball. Marlins and Mets. If I could I would live and breathe it. But, regardless of our differences about sports, all of us sport fans have one thing in common, we are upset when our teams lose and we love when our teams win. Victory is very very sweet. Especially if it's against a despised rival team. But for the most part with most sports fans it is not just about the win, it is about how you got there.

However much we love the victory that is not what it is all about. That is especially true this time of year. Easter is this Sunday and that is our victory dance. The resurrection of our Lord. But the resurrection is not the whole story. We need to remember the sacrifice and the days that preceded the empty grave. We need to remember the pain, suffering that our Lord endured for us. He was scourged, nailed, humiliated, ridiculed, beaten - all so that we would be washed in his blood and forgiven. He took upon mankind's sin, for me, for you. Why? Because there was no other way for us to get closer to God, to be forgiven. Jesus interceded on our behalf and suffered such atrocities, All on our behalf.

Simply said - Our team wins. But it is so much more than a victory, it is about what came before. Without the pain, suffering and sacrifice there would not have been a victory or an empty grave. Without the sacrifice we would have no hope. The Victory is wonderful and joyous, but this Easter and EVERY day we need to remember the sacrifice that brought us his grace.