From, Through, For, and To

I don't think anyone living in the U.S. of A. could say they didn't know this is Easter weekend. I mean enter any retail store and you'll find colorful Easter bunnies stationed beside bright rainbow colored plastic eggs, and a plethora of assorted chocolate bunnies and sugary sweet delicacies. Clothing stores boast their Spring apparel and mixed in amongst the shorts, bathing suits, and flip flops, there are an assortment of Easter outfits as they were often referred to back in the day. Over the Easter weekend there will be egg hunts, family meals, and time to share laughter and make memories. Don't get me wrong, I'll be boiling my eggs and eating my share of the ham and rolls, but in all of the celebration of Easter, I certainly do not want to forget why we celebrate the Easter weekend. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to this world with the full understanding that His life would be all about sacrifice. As we celebrate Easter today, it is my prayer that we keep His sacrifice at the forefront of all we do today.

For me, Easter is all about four little prepositions, from, through, for, and to. The Apostle Paul provides the context for our conversation today. In Paul's teachings to the early church in Rome, he shared this reassurance of the sovereignty of our Lord and Savior, "For from Him and through Him, and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:36. Bringing out the old English teacher in me, it feels appropriate to clarify the role of a preposition in the English language. By definition a preposition serves to express the relation between two words such as, the man is "on" the bus, or the girl went "out" the door. My purpose in defining what role a preposition plays in our vernacular is simple, each of the four listed prepositions above directly support how our relationship with our triune Father should be lived out.  King David presented a rhetorical question that he in turn answered himself in Psalm 121 that is applicable to our first preposition "from". "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121:1-2. Everything we have ultimately comes from above. God is merciful and He blesses us even though we haven't earned it or deserve it. If this is true then the forgiveness we received for the sins of this world surely did come by way of Jesus dying for the sins of this world. Again Paul penned our second reminder using the preposition "through". "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" Ephesians 2:18. The blessings we receive whether it be a hot meal on the table, or a brand new Easter outfit, came to us by way of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. It is through Him our sins are forgiven. (Colossians 1:14). The third connecting preposition is "for" and this three letter word brings our relationship completely together. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. If there is one key verse in the Bible that explains why we celebrate Easter this might very well be it. Back to our definition of a preposition explaining the relation of one thing to another,  God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the only reason we can be forgiven of our sins and promised eternal life in Heaven. And finally on this Easter Sunday, before the eggs are hidden in the grass, before we sit down for our ham or turkey, my prayer is that we remember who is responsible for the gift of salvation we have received. "To God be the glory, honor, and praise." Romans 11:36. Jesus made the sacrifice that was necessary for us to be saved from our sins over 2,000 years ago. His sacrifice placed us in direct relation to receive forgiveness for our sins. Share the Good News with someone you spend time with today. For it is all from Him, Through Him, For Him, and To Him that we live today. 

Coach Carter