Easter is Coming—Are You Ready?

It’s that time of year again. The Easter aisle at Walmart is fully stocked, and somewhere, right now, a stressed-out mom is frantically stuffing pastel-colored eggs while wondering if she should just buy a rotisserie chicken instead of attempting a full Easter dinner.

Meanwhile, your pastor is knee-deep in a sermon series leading up to Easter Sunday. He’s gearing up for the big day, one of the two Sundays a year when even the guy who “worships from the bass boat” might make an appearance. For many, Easter is about baskets, bunnies, and brunch. But for believers, it is the defining moment of our faith—the moment that sets Jesus apart from every other religious figure in history.

What Makes Easter the Pinnacle of Our Faith?

Easter isn’t just another holiday—it’s the holiday. Theologically, it is the moment that gives Jesus His credibility. Anyone can make bold claims about who they are, but Jesus did more than that—He backed it up with action. He didn’t just predict His death; He predicted His resurrection and then actually pulled it off.

As He said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

That’s a bold statement. But what makes it different from the words of Muhammad, Buddha, or any other religious leader? Resurrection. Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. His empty tomb is the ultimate mic drop of history, proving He is who He says He is.

What Was Jesus Doing Seven Sundays Before His Arrest?

So, let’s rewind. Seven Sundays before His arrest, Jesus knew exactly what was coming. He knew the betrayal, the suffering, and the cross were all ahead. If it were us, we’d probably be working on a solid escape plan. Maybe a quick trip out of town, some fake documents, or at the very least, a change of scenery.

But Jesus? He did nothing to avoid it.

In fact, He did the opposite. Instead of steering clear of trouble, He walked straight toward it. Here’s what He was up to in the weeks leading to His crucifixion:

1. Heading to Jerusalem on Purpose – Jesus wasn’t trying to slip under the radar. He was deliberately making His way to Jerusalem, the place where He knew He would be arrested and killed.

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)

• Criticizing the Religious Leaders – If He wanted to lay low, He was doing a terrible job. He openly condemned the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them hypocrites and blind guides (Matthew 23). That kind of preaching wasn’t winning Him any favors.
• Performing His Most Public Miracle Yet – Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44). Instead of keeping things quiet, He performed one of His most dramatic miracles right in front of witnesses—a move that practically guaranteed His death warrant.

“Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. ‘What are we accomplishing?’ they asked. ‘Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.’” (John 11:47-48)

• Preparing His Disciples – Instead of focusing on Himself, He focused on His closest friends. He repeatedly tried to prepare them for what was coming, even though they didn’t fully understand.

“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22)

How Would You Spend Your Last Seven Weeks?

If you knew you had six Sundays left on earth, how would you spend them? Would you focus on ministering to others or focus on self-preservation? Would you spend time preparing your loved ones for what’s to come, or would you frantically try to change the outcome?

The truth is, God has already told us what we should be doing with our time—whether we have seven weeks or seventy years left. Jesus modeled it perfectly.

1. Love and Serve Others – Jesus spent His last weeks ministering, healing, and showing compassion. He washed His disciples’ feet, a job meant for the lowest servant, and told them:

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

We are called to serve—not just when it’s easy, but especially when time is short.

• Share the Gospel Boldly – Jesus never hesitated to proclaim truth, even when He knew it would cost Him everything. Paul echoes this call:

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

If you knew time was running out, wouldn’t you want to make sure your friends and family knew the Gospel?

• Live Without Fear – Jesus knew the cross was coming, and yet, He moved forward in obedience. He calls us to do the same:

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matthew 10:28)

The fear of death, suffering, or hardship should never stop us from following God’s will.

• Strengthen Your Faith and Encourage Others – Jesus spent His last weeks preparing His disciples. If you had little time left, would you spend it strengthening those around you?

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

We should invest in others, ensuring that when we are gone, they continue in faith.

At the end of the day, Jesus didn’t waste a moment. Neither should we.

Closing Prayer

Lord, as we approach Easter, help us to prepare our hearts just as Jesus prepared Himself for the cross. Give us the courage to walk boldly in Your will, even when it’s difficult. Help us to stay faithful, to minister to those around us, and to trust in Your perfect plan. May we live with the same determination and purpose that Jesus did in His final weeks. Amen.

Call to Action

Jesus knew His time was short, and He made every moment count. What about you? If you had just seven Sundays left, what would you do differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s encourage one another to live with purpose!