i dare not put myself at the crucifixion scene that day.

i mean, would i still be kicking myself in the butt for falling asleep on jesus when he asked me to keep watch (more than once!) prior to his capture? would i disappear, get up close and personal like the masses or watch from a distance like peter? would i join in the chant to crucify him or be placed on the cross next to him? depends on who i was in the story, i guess, but truth be told, i could have been anyone.

or how about the next day when all was still? would i have mourned with hope knowing that what jesus said was true and that who he said he was was true? or would the silent darkness cloud my belief and make me doubt both?

and how about when the tomb rolled away on the third day? what would i have done then? believe the rumours about the disciples stealing his body? make stuff up in my head to try and make sense of it all, search for concrete proof myself, or rejoice, knowing, again, he did what he said he was going to do?

the answer is, i don't know; i don't know what i would have done then, but i do know what i'll do now. i choose to believe. by golly, this easter, i choose to believe.

the story line makes sense. the evidence points to the gospel's validity. covenants were made and kept on God's end and prophesies were fulfilled; jesus, the long waited messiah came to earth in human form, was born in a manger (what up, christmas!), lived a sin-less life, exemplified what living a life of love and servant-hood should look like, and humbled himself enough to die on a cross for our sins - my sins - before 'sealing the deal' and coming back to life.

sure, we can read this blog (or better yet, the bible) and debate it - we weren't there - but i tell you one thing, He's changed my life! His love keeps me secure and grounded. His teachings motivate me to humble myself (still working on that) and live a selfless life full of love and one worthy of my calling (still working on this, too), and His unconditional love and grace transform me every single day, including, but not limited to, easter.

why, if you ask me, it's the greatest story ever told and i plan on celebrating it in style this weekend! who's with me?