Preparing our Hearts for Easter

We are once again coming to a time where we get to both celebrate and remember the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each year we rejoice in the finished work of the cross and the defeating of death in His resurrection. Celebration and remembering is a calling the Lord has given us, 1 Chronicles 16:12 tells us,

“Remember the wondrous works that He has done,
    His miracles and the judgments He uttered.”

We are commanded to remember the Lord. As we remember the Lord, we get the privilege of setting our hearts and our minds on the Lord. Over the next month as we prepare for Resurrection Sunday we get to humbly set our hearts on the things of the Lord.
At the time of Christ, the people of the Lord would celebrate Passover, which is fulfilled in Jesus. At each meal the week of Passover they would read what is known as the Hallel Psalms, Psalm 113-118. They would read one Psalm before they ate. Each of these Psalms would be read as reflection and remembrance of the Lord’s deliverance from Egypt. The same deliverance which is found in Christ as He delivers us from our sin and death. These Psalms each allow us to prepare our hearts as we celebrate, rejoice, and remember the work of the Lord. 

Psalm 113 praises the Lord for His very nature and how He has blessed from high those who are but dust.

Psalm 114 remembers the place Israel was delivered from and gives us the chance to remember why we need a deliverer.

Psalm 115 and 116 reminds us how we can trust in the Lord, how He will provide, and the thanksgiving we have in Him.

Psalm 117-118 praises the Lord for His steadfast love and looks to the Christ and His finished work.

Just as the people of the Lord at the time of Christ remembered and prepared their hearts for Passover, we get the same blessing by preparing our hearts as we look forward to celebrating the Risen King Jesus this Easter. Over the next month we as a church are going to take a time in our services to prepare our hearts with these Psalms.