Happy Easter! He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Every Easter weekend, I become overcome with joy. Uncontainable, indescribable JOY. I have been saved. My debt is paid. I am spared. I have a seat waiting for me at the right hand of God. AND I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO DESERVE IT. He simply chose me. And you. And you. And you and you and you and you. How great His grace, His love, His mercy...
As much as today is about the resurrection, I can't help but think of His death- one piece of it, specifically. "Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." -Luke 23:32-34
Are you kidding me?! I remember wanting to punch a doctor for giving me a shot of cortisone in my ankle, even though I knew it would feel better. Jesus was NAILED to the cross. Completely alert. NAILED. And He was pleading forgiveness for those who pierced Him?! Seriously?! How incredible. What an incredible, selfless, amazing act of true grace. A grace which has been freely given to each of us. Man. Just soak that in for a minute. Or an hour. Put yourself in the shoes of those who nailed Him to the cross. Imagine Jesus pleading for your forgiveness, for your salvation, for your life. I am overcome. How blessed am I. How blessed are we.
He does not need to fight for us; for He has already won the battle. But we must fight. He has equipped us with everything we need. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." -Ephesians 6:13
Oh, praise Him!
' “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' -1 Corinthians 15:55-57
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." -Isaiah 53:5
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." -Luke 19:10
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive! -Matt Maher, "Christ is Risen"
Happy, blessed Easter to you. Rejoice! He is risen!
