6 Bible Verses to Prepare Your Heart for Easter

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit” Matthew 27:50

Preparing our hearts for Easter is found in starting at the cross. Jesus was not guilty of any crime, yet the people wanted Him to be killed. Even when Pilate said he would release one of the prisoners, the people chose for notorious criminal Barabbas to be released to them (Luke 23:18-25). The people took it further and even yelled for Jesus to be crucified. We can be sure these people didn’t want Jesus by their actions. 

Many of us might think how dreadful these individuals are, but how many of us are acting the same way? Maybe we aren’t yelling for the Lord to be crucified, but we are walking far from Him and living in sin. We don’t want to submit to the Lord and obey Him because we want to be our own gods and make our own rules.

This Easter, we need to challenge ourselves to examine our actions truly. Are we living for Jesus, or are we only living for ourselves? Are we truly submitting to Him and understanding the glorious event of the Lord’s saving work? By answering these questions, we can see Easter in a new light. We will no longer see it as a holiday but as a day to celebrate the Lord and submit to His will.

Photo Credit NeedPix

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit” 1 Peter 3:18

The crucifixion of Christ is the hallmark of the resurrection, which is why we must understand why He had to suffer and die on the cross. The Apostle Peter tells us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins to bring us to God. Through His death, we have been brought from death to life. If people believe in Christ, they are given the permanent indwelling Holy Spirit, who will guide, instruct, and convict them. 

Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection also show us that there is life after death. Secular teachings tell us that when we die, our lives are over, but Christ proved there is life beyond the grave. The suffering and death Jesus endured have given us the sure promise that we will continue to live after death. While we won’t live on this earth again until the Millennial Reign of Christ, we will live in Heaven with the Lord.

As we reflect on Easter, we need to notice Christ's suffering. He didn’t deserve to die, yet He did so because He wanted to restore our broken relationship with the Father. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, we have been brought close to Him and given a new life. Easter celebrates this reality and the truth that when we die, we will not slip into oblivion but rather enter into eternal life.

Photo Credit thinkstock

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance” John 20:1

After Jesus’ death on the cross, He was moved to a private tomb. On the day after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene went to see the tomb, but when she got there, she saw that the stone that had closed the tomb had been rolled open. Mary Magdalene was distressed when she didn’t find the Lord and ran to Peter to tell him the news (Luke 20:2). Once Peter heard the news, they ran together to the tomb, entered the tomb, and found that the tomb was empty (Luke 20:3-10).

The empty tomb attests to the Lord’s resurrection. If Mary Magdalene had found the tomb sealed up with Jesus’ dead body inside, He would not have been the Messiah. If this had happened, we would all be left in our sins, without hope and without the promise of a future. However, the stone was rolled open, and the tomb was empty. Jesus conquered death and freely left the tomb on His own accord. 

Easter helps us reflect on the Lord’s power, goodness, and love. If the Lord were not God in the flesh, He wouldn’t have been able to save us from our sins. The very act of the resurrection should lead our hearts to worship. Jesus has been raised from the dead, conquered death, and emerged victorious (Revelation 1:18). Placing faith in Him will also help us overcome death and live for Jesus.

Photo Credit Image created using AI Technology via DALL-E on ChatGPT

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:27-28

 It is common to express doubt when it comes to the resurrection. Maybe you are finding yourself in a season of doubt this year. There have been many things that waver your faith and cause you to doubt Jesus. If this is true, reflect upon John 20:27-28. Thomas was also doubtful of the resurrection of the Lord, which is why we call him “doubting Thomas.” Due to not seeing Jesus with his own eyes and not placing his fingers in the Lord’s wounds, he didn’t believe (John 20:25).

All of this changed once Jesus appeared to Thomas. The Lord tells him to place his finger in the wounds of His hands and put his hand into His side. Thomas does so and declares that Jesus is his Lord and his God. If you are doubtful, consider Thomas's life and how he witnessed the resurrected Lord. Nothing about the resurrection was fake or fabricated. 

Turn to the Lord this Easter and release your doubt to Him. Ask Him to help you overcome doubt. The Lord is good, and He will provide what you need. Even if you are not doubtful of His resurrection, but maybe you are unsure of His goodness or will for your life, choose to pray for the Lord to help you have a sure and steadfast faith. He will fill your heart with hope and extinguish doubt as you learn more about Him.

Photo Credit DALL.E 2024 via ChatGPT AI Technology

 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I will send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” Luke 24:45-49

After the Lord’s resurrection, He appeared to the disciples many times. Within Luke 24:45-49, we learn about one of these appearances. He clearly tells them the Gospel and their purpose for life. Jesus says they will tell the Gospel to all people, starting in Jerusalem. However, they had to wait until the Holy Spirit would be given to them.

The Holy Spirit is the “power from on high” the Lord discusses. We are all still given the Holy Spirit at the moment we place faith in Him. Our purpose after coming to the Lord is to declare Him and help others know Him. Easter points us back to this promise and the goodness of His gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Photo Credit Getty

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” 1 John 3:16

 As a final focus for Easter, we must acknowledge the Lord's love. This is ultimately why He died for our sins. He loves us so much that He left Heaven to die for our sins (John 3:16-17). The Lord's love helps us face each day with a renewed heart. Lasting, eternal, and unconditional love is found in the Lord.

 Just as the Lord died for our sins, we should be willing to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. This is because the Lord’s love for us will overflow into our lives, and we will love others as He loves us. Throughout our lives, we must foster our love for others and genuinely love them as the Lord loves us (John 13:34-35).

 As Easter is approaching, prepare your heart for unconditional love. Jesus loves you with an undying love that will never change. Allow this love to surround you and change your life. As you reflect on His love, choose also to love others as Jesus loves you. This will ensure you are ready for Easter and whatever Jesus has planned.

Photo Credit ©GettyImages/udra