Jesus, the Messiah they had longed for and prayed for had finally come. They missed him. They were looking for someone else, a different kind of savior.

Millions of Christians repeat this tragedy every year. For completely different reasons they miss Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Easter comes during a busy time: soccer season, little league, the Final Four, and The Masters all beg for our attention. Spring fashions emerge. Spring Break comes and goes. All of these things turn our heads away from the one thing that matters.

The most important questions anyone can ever ask are: Did Jesus really rise again from the dead? And Do I honestly believe that?

Take the time to ask those questions this week. Push for honest answers. Take an hour or ten to seriously research those issues. Ask God to heal your unbelief.

And celebrate. Celebrate Jesus washing the disciples feet. Slow your life down and love someone sacrificially today.

Celebrate Good Friday. Allow yourself to be moved to tears over Christ’s sacrifice, and praise him for taking the punishment you deserved. Listen to “What Wondrous Love is This?” and “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” until the words stir your soul.

Celebrate Easter. Celebrate Christ’s Victory over the grave. Watch the sun rise that day. Spend as much time as possible with God’s people. Sing “Christ the Lord is Risen today” at the top of your lungs. Sing it till you believe it. Sing it until your soul is changed.

Do not let another year go buy before you believe the resurrection. Pursue belief zealously. Settle for nothing less than a life changing, hope giving, life sustaining faith.