Sunday, April 16, 2017

Easter
Jesus went to Jerusalem to die for us.
He didn’t have to save us.
He knew that his death would be agonisingly painful.
He died in our place.

We did nothing.
We are  weak and helpless.
He came in strength, mercy and love.
He came to save us from the curse of sin.

On the cross his body was broken and his blood was shed to make us whole.
Consider him.
A madman? A liar? A saviour?
Jesus is my  saviour.

Jesus the Messiah has saved us from condemnation.
We do not deserve his compassion.
We deserved death.
Jesus gave us life and hope.

God our  Father loved us.
He watched his children reject him, turn away and ignore him.
Again, and again, and again.
But… God still loves us.

God planned to bring us back to him.
God planned to send his son to repair what sin has broken.
God sent his one and only  son so that whoever believes in him will not die,
But have eternal life.

Jesus’ blood, his death and his return from death
Made us free from sin and clean before God
He made us right with God.
Able to be in his presence.

To love him.
To serve him.
To honour him.
To be his children.

Will you come to rejoice in him?
I rejoice in him with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I have taken up my cross and I follow him.
It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

This is the greatest story ever told.
This is the story of how God loved man.
This is the story of Easter.