In Memory Of Him

HAPPY EASTER! Well, a few days late.

I wanted to share an assignment I had the week leading up to Easter. Before completing it, I do not think I had ever been so excited about an assignment.

The directions were:

Using resources/witnesses, write a life story about Jesus Christ. Remember, it's more than just an obit. It's finding the essence, why did the person wake up in the morning. Remember to keep in the obit details, but intertwine them in an interesting story telling story.

So basically, I got to write about Jesus. How exciting is that?

I was so excited that I could barely think straight. So many ideas were running through my head. How could I portray Jesus in the most true, perfect, beautiful way?

I thought this was a beautiful reflection to complete right before Easter started, so I decided to share with all of you.

Picture this. It’s about year 29. You have been following this man named Jesus around, listening to His stories. This man, who has only done good for people, is hated for no reason.

One day, Jesus is taken and put on trial. Then, it turns into a scourging at the pillar. He is whipped and forced to wear a crown of thorns. After they are done with Him there, He takes up a cross and carries it to the place to be crucified.

All you can ask is “Why?” Why is this happening to an innocent man?

Jesus passes on Friday. Immediately, there is a story out about the man whom the Romans crucified. Here is what you read.

Jesus of Nazareth, 33, passed away by crucifixion on Friday, just outside of Jerusalem.

After being accused of blasphemy, He was condemned to death by the Roman people. Jesus suffered a scourging at the pillar, wore a crown of thorns, and carried His own cross that read King of the Jews to his death. His death was unique because unlike most criminals, He was nailed to the cross instead of tied.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem around 0 AD to parents Mary and foster father, Joseph. He was a descendant of Abraham.

Even though He was raised in a family of carpenters, Jesus was a man of all trades. At times, He worked as a doctor, healing patients when needed. He also spent a lot of his time in the temple, teaching to the masses. He had many friends and followers who loved to listen to him.

His friends and followers note that He loved serving others, performing miracles, and speaking highly of His Father. Miracle stories shared by His friends included changing water into wine at a local wedding, feeding more than 5000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a paralytic man.

After passing, Jesus was buried in a stone tomb in Arimathea with guards placed outside.

In lieu of flowers, it is asked that you live as He did.

Three days later and you are still confused. How could they crucify an innocent man?

You try to go about your days like nothing happened when you hear rumors that someone stole His body. The story just keeps getting stranger, you wonder. What else could happen to add to the chaos?

Imagine that. What would be going through your head if you heard one of the people you follow died and was apparently stolen? Think about who your favorite Instagram influencer is. What about your favorite singer? How would you feel?

Would you go on a rampage? Maybe listen to all of their music in memory of them? Reshare some of your favorite posts by them? We have these people that we look up to and try to change our lives to more reflect theirs. Why would things be different for Jesus Christ? He was, is, divine and took on human form. This man suffered hate, took on all the sins of the world, and died for you.

Now, let’s add to the chaos. He was dead for three days. He had His followers questioning why what happened, happened. Mary, His mother, had to go through the pain of losing her child. The Roman soldiers did not know who He really was or what they just did. Add to the chaos? He rose from the dead three days later. Talk about the biggest prank in the history of the world.

Jesus Christ is someone we will never add up to. But He is someone who we are called to strive to be.

I do not know about you guys, but every year, I seem to be on a high on Easter. I’m with friends and family, I’m eating some good food, not to mention all the candy. We get to see extra excitement in our priests as they share the story of Christ’s prank, I mean rising. We get the reminder that we are saved because of Christ’s suffering. But this high only seems to be on Easter Sunday… shouldn’t it be more than that? Shouldn’t I be talking about Christ’s rising every day? Shouldn’t I be looking to spend time with friends and family on more days that aren’t only holidays? Isn’t the Easter season more than just one day? We are not only saved on Easter Sunday, it’s every day. Every day we should wake up and realize that Jesus suffered for us. Because no matter what we think, He said, “You are worth it.”

Live every day like Jesus just rose from the dead. Live every day like Jesus just saved your life. Because He did. So, in memory of Jesus, let's live like Him.

Stay golden,

M