As I reflected on this year’s celebration of Holy Week and Easter Sunday, a renewed sense of joy and gratefulness filled my heart. Joy—because I truly understand the meaning of God’s sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross of Calvary over 2,000 years ago. And gratefulness—because, as a recipient of His precious, powerful and priceless sacrifice, I can boldly declare my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer.
What a blessing it is to affirm, along with other believers, that I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Because the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Also, I know that I am not alone. For I live this new life by the power of the Holy Spirit—our Advocate and Comforter—whom the Father has sent in the name of His Son to teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught His disciples while He walked on the earth (John 14:26).
Yet, my understanding of the cross and the price Jesus Christ paid for my sin did not come easily. It took time, uncertain prayers, and an unwavering determination on my part to discover the true meaning of my Christian heritage and how it could genuinely transform my life.
Encounters with the Cross
I still remember many special Easter seasons in my childhood in Brazil. Each day of Holy Week felt sacred, memorable. There was a weightiness I couldn’t quite explain as a child. I knew we were remembering the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and that those days were not to be overlooked or taken lightly, but rather cherished and honored.
My favorite day of Holy Week growing up was Good Friday. The stillness throughout the day and the fasting were not particularly enjoyable for a child. But the family gathering for a meal of fish, along with the movies and plays depicting the Lord’s death and resurrection, stirred a deep sense of reverence in my heart. Everything made the day feel special—holy.
And then, there was Resurrection Sunday with all its cheer, and chocolate, and feasting!
My Most Cherished Memory
Despite those wonderful memories, my most cherished remembrance of Easter revolves around one particular Good Friday in my preteen years. I vividly recall when my mother and I, arms locked and eyes filled with tears, followed a crowd in a silent procession from our local parish toward the assigned “Mount Calvary” setting.
Amidst the attentive crowd, we stood and mournfully watched as a vivid reenactment of the Lord’s final hours unfolded before us. With eyes fixed on the actor—his seemingly torn and bloodied body, his groans so real as he endured each lash—we followed closely behind, staring as he humbly dragged a heavy wooden cross uphill. Unimaginably, he pressed forward carrying his heavy burden without complaint, though clearly bearing much pain and sorrow.
We did not say a word. No one did. No one dared. We simply trod along the modern-day “Via Crucis,” remembering Jesus Christ’s sacrificial journey. Silently, with tears streaming down our faces, we tried to grasp the significance of His blood shed on the cross.
Somehow, in that sacred moment, we seemed to understand more deeply what Jesus, the Son of God, had endured for our sake. Not because He had to, but because He chose to. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but would have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Yet, despite the unique impact that memorable experience of Jesus’ passion had upon me, many years would pass before I could truly understand the transforming power of His painful death on our behalf. For me, Holy Week was a solemn time in which we remembered an event of enormous historical and religious significance. But, sadly, that was it! The miracle of Jesus’ death and resurrection soon faded from my memory as each Easter Sunday came to an end.
Encountering Jesus’ Love
As the years went by, I grew older, faced challenges and unforeseen suffering, endured betrayals, encountered hypocrisy in the church, experienced rejection in times of need, and wandered away from my Christian faith.
By age 17, those treasured memories had vanished. Though I didn’t deny the existence of God, I began to doubt His goodness. The traditions and rituals I had observed through the years were still special, but clearly not sufficient to assure me of God’s reality, His love for me, and His personal involvevement in my life. I desperately needed more…
But thanks be to God in all His mercy and grace, for when I needed Him most, He reached down to me. Yes, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who endured the cruelest of injustices and rose from the dead for our sake, drew near to me in my time of need. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you, (James 4:8) the Bible states, for The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19)
And just as He promised in His Word, it happened. When I desperately needed to know that someone truly cared for me, Jesus showed up! As I cried out, He answered. Not only did He answer my prayer, but He transformed my life!
So, today I humbly echo Job’s words and declare: I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27).
Jesus, unlike any other gods you may choose to follow, is the True and Living God who still saves, still heals, and still speaks to us today!
So, if you have observed traditions or rituals of any kind, yet deep in your heart you know that you have never encountered the love of the Son of the Living God— know that He is real! And His love is real! In fact, Jesus’ love for you is more real than anything you will ever experience!
My prayer is that beyond any tradition you have followed, you may experience Jesus Christ’s life-changing love . And if you haven’t yet, I pray that you may embrace Him as your Lord and Savior!
God’s promises are true! As Jesus transformed my life, He can do it for you, too!
Verses for Further Study
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
Praying for your journey,
Érika
EN 
PT