Have a Blessed Easter Weekend

Yesterday and today I read Numbers 28:13-31:54 and Luke 19:37-20:47. My favorite verses are:

Numbers 29:39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.

Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

It is Easter weekend—a very special time for Christians. Jesus willingly gave His life as a sacrifice for our sin so that we could be forgiven by God and live eternally with Him. But as I read my Bible yesterday and today, I couldn’t help but think how much the verses above reminded me of Christmas. The verse from Numbers speaks of all the different vows and offerings which the Israelites were commanded to give to the Lord. We tend to associate Christmas with gift-giving, and this verse reminds me that no matter how many gifts we give to God, we cannot keep up with the blessings He gives to us. We are not living under the law; we are not required to make ritual sacrifices as the Israelites were in the Old Testament, but we are expected to give cheerfully to the Lord and His work on a regular basis. The verse in Luke contains the phrase “glory in the highest” which is most often associated with Christmas, but here it is used the week before Easter. The same sentiments expressed at His birth were still valid at the time of His death. Blessing and glory to the King, the Lord, the God of heaven and earth! Praise Him as you recall the price He paid so that you might have eternal life.