My Redeemer Lives: Buried in Hate. Raised in Love.

Life Lesson 39: The thought that Jesus Christ gave His life for my sins is incomprehensible.The cross for me then is not only about perseverance in faith, but about God’s amazing grace—grace I don’t deserve, and grace I could never earn (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” –Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. Because of what Jesus did on the cross for me and for you, we’re healed of our sins forever. As we celebrate Easter, think about what the cross means to you, what the Lord had to endure for us all, and ask yourself why—why would anyone make such an incredible sacrifice for you? Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NIV). Jesus considers us His friends and because of God’s everlasting love for humanity, “He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

Jesus willingly took on Himself our punishment and suffering that sinful man deserves (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus, righteous in all His ways, the perfect Lamb of God, He did no wrong. He was humble and meek. He wasn’t violent. He was innocent. He had no sin. He didn’t deserve condemnation, yet He was oppressed, afflicted, falsely accused, and crucified for our sins.  Scripture tells us that it was God’s will to crush Him, cause Him to suffer, and to make His life an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10). What an incredible sacrifice!

Just think, Jesus, the Messiah, the sinless Son of God, put on human flesh, came to earth, and dwelt among us (John 1). Why? In and of ourselves, we cannot be saved. Therefore we need a Savior. God looks down on our hopeless, sinful lives and had compassion. He sent His only Son to be the ultimately sacrifice for our sins so that we may know the only true God and His Son, Jesus Christ who died for our sins. After Jesus had suffered the cross, He rose from death on the third day, overcoming the grave and seeing the light of life (Luke 24:6-7). The kind of life that is freely available to every person who believes in the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). When you confess your sins and receive Jesus as Lord of your life, you are made new in Christ and receive the gift of salvation. When you become a Christian, the eternal life is made available to you, which is promised to everyone who believes in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Every Easter, I watch the movie, “The Passion of the Christ.”  If you have never seen it, I would highly encourage you to watch it because it is such a powerful reminder of the cross of Christ and the unimaginable price Jesus paid for our sins. In the gospels, Jesus predicted His death and resurrection on the third day. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus told His disciples about the crucifixion. He said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life” (Matthew 20:18-19NIV). What the Lord did was essentially paint a mental picture for His disciples of His mission here on earth, and to help them understand the gospel message that they would take to the ends of the earth.

If you have never trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why don’t you do so now? What do you have to lose? He wills that none of us should perish but have eternal life with Him. Your sin is not so bad that He won’t receive you. He’s a gracious and forgiving God. Let go of any fear, doubt, shame or guilt you may be feeling right now and simply pray:

“Lord Jesus, I’ve sinned against you. Forgive me of my sins. Help my doubt and unbelief so I can live in your truth. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen.”

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