This is the Passion Week! The most important week in all of human history - past, present, and future! Without “His”-story, and this week where would we be? What hope would we have? This week must be remembered and shared - this truth MUST BE told because what happened during this week made the difference between your eternal life or death. Is this too dramatic of a statement? No, I think I understated it really.
So what happened? Well, the Creator, the maker of all things, (man did not create the earth, neither did a random big bang) Jesus, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, planned from the very beginning to establish a rescue plan for their created wayward kids. It’s the most costly plan to the Godhead and, the only one that would satisfy the debt of sin - to vanquish the enemy, and finish the evil empire permanently! Jesus, offered Himself as the Lamb of God, without blemish or sin, as the substitute sacrifice, to die the eternal death, on our behalf, thereby satisfying the penalty of our broken covenant with heaven. It’s not just the torture and bloody, shameful death of crucifixion that we remember, it’s the inconceivable love that was demonstrated by setting us free and taking our punishment. He restored the original plan! Our debt is paid! Our ticket was bought and a free gift of eternal life was given!
I love my kids, and my grandkids beyond reason! I don’t have words to explain it —- I just love them (that goes for all of my family!) God has given each of us the ability to love, the question is will we let it grow? Love begets love and by beholding we will become changed - two of God’s principles. As we consider the depth and breadth of Jesus sacrifice on our behalf, we will love Him more and it will change us! He is Risen! This is the Great Hope of the World! Are they even aware of it?
Mark 16:1-20 (NASB) tells the story of the resurrection day!
16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. …4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen!
Jesus lives! Tell the world that it is true! We are called to be the light of the world, Matthew 5:14, and this is the important message we are to share! There will be those that don’t understand, and those that are amazed, and there will be those that don’t care! Keep remembering and sharing… that’s what we are called to do! I pray God will keep you close and lighten your heart during this special week of “remembrance!” He really LOVES you!!! and He has risen indeed!
Pastor Cheri