Before I became a Christian, I spent my Easters at the beach. Not for a sunrise service, but just hanging out with friends, catching a few rays and enjoying the sand between our toes.
But I remember my first Easter. It was the first time I really got it. I mean, I really got it.
I was saved in October and during the 6 months between the time I became a Christian and the first time I celebrated Easter as a Christian, I had immersed myself in the Word of God. There was so much I didn’t know, but I knew a lot more than I did six months prior.
I remember discovering the power of Jesus’ final words…
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” ~ Luke 23:34
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” ~ Luke 23:43
“Dear woman, here is your son.” ~ John 19:26
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” ~ Mark 15:34
“I am thirsty.” ~ John 19:28
“It is finished!” ~ John 19:30
“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” ~ Luke 23:46
It is finished. Everything needed to secure your salvation and mine…and the salvation of everyone on the planet…everything necessary to save the souls of every person who has and will ever be born, was accomplished on the cross.
Because of His great love for us. Such great love!
Incomprehensible love. Relentless love. Love beyond anything we deserve or can explain.
He didn’t have to come to this planet. He didn’t have to die. But before the foundation of the world it was His plan. To pay a debt we couldn’t pay so that we could be forgiven and given eternal life. To be forsaken so you and I would never have to be.
The tomb is empty and Jesus lives. He is risen as He said and death has forever been defeated and eternal life is available to everyone who will receive Him as Savior and Lord.
But being a Christian doesn’t happen just because we believe. The Bible says in the book of James that the devils believe in tremble.
There is faith that includes surrender. The kind of believing that is to the saving of our souls (Hebrews 10:39). The kind of faith that invites the Holy Spirit to take up residence in our hearts and to seal us unto the day of redemption. The kind of faith that makes us a new creation and that changes our hearts, our lives, and our eternal destinies.
The kind of faith that looks reads Jesus’ final words on the cross and sees the empty tomb and says, “I get it!”
Today, sweet friend…do you get it? I mean do you really get it?
If you’re not sure that you really do, would you surrender your life to Christ today? Resurrection Sunday…What a great day to really get it! (If you want more information about what the Bible says about how to become a Christian, please email me. I’d love to send you more information to help you begin your new life with Christ!)
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