The Best News of All

If you have been a believer for any span of time, chances are you know that Easter has nothing to do with bunnies, eggs, or even chocolate. Many of us nod our heads and say "Yes, yes, I know, of course not" but do we really understand the gravity of why we celebrate this day?

 

Can you imagine being completely innocent and blameless, yet sacrificing your life to save someone who doesn't deserve it? God sent His son to this broken Earth and He died on the cross so that we may have a chance to live forever in the light and warmth of the Lord, even though we are full of sin and turn our backs on Him daily.

"Everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:15-17 

Close your eyes, still your heart, and imagine this: You are Barabbas. You sit in a prison cell, head hung low, guilty and awaiting the punishment for what you have done. You are hopeless and no one can help you now.

"A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising."  Mark 15:7

Jesus Christ walks in to your cell, tells the guards "This man is innocent, take me instead" and you are free.

You. Are. Free.

YOU ARE FREE!!

Christ died so that you could be free. What a reason to celebrate! Not only did Jesus sacrifice his own sinless life for your sin-filled one, but He also made it so that when you believe what Christ did for you and you stand before God on Judgement Day, He sees nothing but Jesus. Jesus takes your "sin card", erases your name and write His own.  But He doesn't stop there!  He then takes His "sin card" which is completely blank, erases his name, and writes yours in its place.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

"With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved.  Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous low-lying black cloud.  A new power is in operation.  The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 (MSG)

No matter how many different ways you say it, the truth is clear.  And what a beautiful and powerful truth it is! Rejoice in your freedom this Easter Sunday, whether you are by yourself or with your family, and take some time to still your heart and mind enough to soak in the magnitude of what has been done for you. 

Thank you Lord for your sacrifice and for your great mercy and love!