The chatter reduces to a whisper as a gentle hush settles on the congregation.

The Bride has arrived.

The anticipation of what she is wearing is thick in the air.

The Groom nervously takes his position at the Altar.

As the Bride makes her way down the Aisle, she is greeted with ooohh’s and aaahhh’s from her friends and family as she glides past them.

At this point I always like to watch the Groom’s reaction.

I smile as I observe the range of emotions he displays across his face.

But the one I find most fascinating is when the Bridegroom and his Bride finally make eye contact.

It’s an exchange without words,

The Bride looks at her Bridegroom and asks him, “Am I worth it?”

Soon we will be celebrating Easter.

This is one time of the year, (besides Christmas) where Church congregations double in size as people who don’t normally attend Church will happily sit and listen to a sermon.

Words like, “crucifixion” and “resurrection” are mentioned in the Easter sermon. Profound words lost on a crowd whose ears have dulled because of religious tradition.

The powerful message that Jesus died for them has somehow lost its edge over the years.

Why?

Because deep down when people hear the Easter story they are always asking the same question,

“Am I worth it?”

After being beaten, spat on and mocked by the Roman soldiers, Jesus slowly made his way towards Golgotha. He stumbled on the dirt road, unable to see out of his swollen eyes, the weight of the crossbeam on his shoulders making the pain more and more unbearable.

Mercifully a Roman soldier commandeered a man to help Jesus carry the heavy piece of wood, his name was Simon.

Finally after many agonizing steps Jesus made it to Golgotha.

After the executioner placed the five –inch nails into Jesus’ wrists and feet he gave the signal for the cross to be raised into position.

Slowly and steadily Jesus gave into the unending pain as he hung on the cross. With one final breath he said aloud, “It is finished!”

Every agonizing step to Golgotha   – You were worth it.

Every excruciating bang of the hammer – You were worth it.

Every painful breath He took – You were worth it.

Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom and He will one day come back for His Bride, (the Church.)

As you walk down the Aisle to meet Him and gaze upon His face, you will ask the same question every Bride asks her Bridegroom,

“Am I worth it?”

And after you have touched the scars on His wrists and feet He will say,

“Yes, you were worth it.”

Happy Easter,

Wendy xo