AN “A. D.” EASTER

God undertook the most dramatic rescue operation

in cosmic history.

He determined to save the human race from self-

destruction, and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to salvage

and redeem them.

The work of man’s redemption was

accomplished at the cross.

But without the resurrection, the cross has absolutely no power or purpose.

(Billy Graham)

Easter shows us an Approachable Deity

Christ entered the Most Holy Place only once—and for all time. He did not take

with him the blood of goats and calves.

His sacrifice was his own blood, and by it he set us free from sin

forever . . . Then Jesus cried in a loud voice and died.

The curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces,

from the top to the bottom. (Hebrews 9:11-12, Mark 15:37-38 – New Century Version)

And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us . . . No one has ever actually seen God, but his only Son has told us all about him.

(John 1:14, 18 – Living Bible)

He created all the people of the world . . . His purpose

in all of this is that they should seek after God,

and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from

any one of us. (Acts 17:26-27 – Living Bible)

Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our

weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in

every way.

He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he

never sinned. With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to

come before God’s throne where there is grace.

There we receive mercy and kindness to help us

when we need it. (Hebrews 4:15-16 – Easy To Read Version)

Easter underscores an Agonizing Death

He died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind

of death at that — a crucifixion. (Philippians 2:8 – The Message)

I give my back to the whip, and my cheeks to those who

pull out the beard. I do not hide from shame — they spit in

my face . . . He was pierced for our rebellion,

crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.

He was whipped so we could be healed . . . the LORD laid on him

the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly . . . He was led like a lamb to the slaughter –

Unjustly condemned, he was led away . . . he was struck down for the rebellion of my people ...

it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him

grief . . . His life is made an offering for sin . . .

(Isaiah 50:6, 53:4-10 – Living Bible)

Christ’s death was also a one-time event,

but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever.

(Hebrews 9:28 – The Message)

Easter explodes into an Awesome Day

Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked,

flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day

he will be raised from the dead. (Matthew 20:19 – New Living Translation)

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found

that the stone was rolled aside from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and me and said, “They have

taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where

they have put him!”

We ran to the tomb to see; I outran Peter and got there first, and stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there,

but I didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went on inside. He also noticed the cloth lying there, while the swath that had covered Jesus’ head was rolled up in a bundle

and was lying at the side.

Then I went in too, and saw, and believed that he had risen for until then we hadn’t realized

that the Scriptures said he would come to life again!

(John 19:1-9 – Living Bible)

Easter leads us to an Amazing Discovery

God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and

doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead—

only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved —

and lifted us up from the grave . . . all because of what Christ Jesus did.

And now God can always point to us as examples of how very,

very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ.

Because of his kindness, you have been saved through

trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves;

it too is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done,

so none of us can take any credit for it.

(Ephesians 2:4-8 – Living Bible)

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were

incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it!

All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant

canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.

(Colossians 2:14 – The Message)

Your old story ends with the cross, your

new story begins with the resurrection!

Let’s Pray