Easter 2024 - Day 1: Emotions and Easter

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

The Easter week narrative is filled with a wide array of emotions. From the celebration on Palm Sunday to the dismal sorrows of Good Friday to the joy of Resurrection morning - every possible human emotion is represented. Now, emotions are an interesting thing. We have them because we are made in God's image. God is portrayed in His God breathed word as having emotions - feelings. God is said to be delighted, joyful, jealous, compassionate, angry, and much more. And as imitators of God, we should note that God's emotions are always, always under control (Ep 5:1). God's word teaches that the world - that is those who do not know Christ - live entirely in passions and desires (Ep 2:3). This is a kind of slavery to the evil one as people are essentially dragged around by the nose - or by their emotions. But emotions ought to be a gauge not a guide.

The world is in trouble because they have given in to emotions over and over again. The result is greed, sexual immorality, broken families, phobias, paranoias, strife, bitter jealousy, rivalries and even murder. Emotions are God given, but like everything else they have been corrupted by sin's curse and must be brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in order to glorify God and benefit His kingdom. And I will tell you the truth… many people claim that Jesus is their Lord until some emotion grabs them and then that emotion is given lordship.  
  
As we count down to Resurrection Day, let's take a ride together on the emotional rollercoaster of those who experienced firsthand the highs and lows of the days leading up to the greatest event in history. And while we are at it, let's take a closer look at how we might better submit our emotions to the one who gave them to us. 
  
As we go through this devotional, my prayer is that we grow in the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our emotions and lives. For today, take some time alone and ask God to prepare your heart to submit to Him. In that quiet place of solitude, slow down… slow down, slow down… humble yourself asking Him to show you, as you go through this devotional, what triggers your damaging emotional responses. Tell Him that you want His will and you do not want to live in your emotions like the rest of the world. Begin focusing your attention on Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection for you.