Eyes Fixed…

How do you teach a one year old about Easter? The little guy in our life is thrilled to point out birds in the blue sky, search for the airplane he hears overhead, and loves to come up to the base of a tree straining his gaze upward to see the top.

So I sing songs about a Savior, His love, His creation. But how do I tell him the wrongs we all do, did, will do caused this Savior to be nailed to a tree?

For now, I choose to do as this little one naturally does: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2a NIV) Soon enough he will begin to see sin for himself. Choosing to say ‘mine’ instead of share a toy, temper tantrums, and unfortunately the really vile all around him.

Then I can tell him: “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame,” (Hebrews 12:2b NIV) Why would Jesus suffer so? In the few thousand years before His earthly ministry, man had proven most cruel and He knew we would continue down the same path for the next couple thousand. But Jesus was the plan before time was set in motion. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6 NIV)

That is Easter summed up. We are powerless, God’s perfect timing, Christ died. But wait there is one more thing: He rose again!

Someday this little one will find out what you and I know: life is not easy. Tomorrow, today for that matter, could find us gasping for God to make sense of the mess. So we are reminded “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:3 NIV)

This is our call for the days leading to Easter Sunday. Consider – ponder long, think about much, search out, seek. Remember all He endured. For my sin – for your sin. As we do this, not only at Easter but each day, we will not grow weary and our hearts will be strengthened.

So be like a one year old – keep your eyes fixed…on Jesus.