Dear Lovely Reader,
Happy Easter and Resurrection Sunday! I pray this day is hope filled for you. Jesus Christ is alive and is the hope of glory. Glory being: the promise of eternal life and a heavenly inheritance that can never fade.
This Easter looks completely different to how you and I always knew it to be. Our freedom to go out has been exchanged with a lockdown.
I was thinking the other day that it kind of feels we’re sacrificing our freedom to some extent.
We all know the restricted life we are experiencing is temporary for the greater good of the human race to curb the spread of the virus. This period will last only for a short moment compared to the coming days of boundless joy, peace and restoration (I pray and hope:)).
Sacrifice normally consists of a period of pain with the certainty of future joy.
This is one of the main themes for the true reason of the Easter season. Jesus the son of God was scorned, bruised and pierced for the sins of world. God’s only begotten son mocked and shamed that we no longer have to be under the penalty of sin – death. By the bloodshed and bodily sacrifice of Jesus, we are cleansed and washed pure.
“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” – Hebrews 10:10.
Meaning, we can come to God and be in close fellowship with him by receiving the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the “joy that was set before him, that he endured the cross” – Hebrews 12:2
Passover sacrifices of lambs were no longer satisfactory in God’s eyes. Although it covered sin for a period of time, it was temporary and did “not clear the conscience of the worshipper” – Hebrews 9:9. From the beginning of time God has yearned for the hearts and minds of his creation, but sin was the barrier. Easter is a reminder that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin and death has been defeated once for all. We do not have to live in sin, guilt or fear death because of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.
Recently, more people than ever are questioning life and are afraid of death even though it is an eventuality for everyone. The fact that there is fear of death and most people try to live a lifestyle to ensure longevity of life shows we all have something within us that yearns to live forever. God has placed this desire within the human heart, not a series of bangs…..
Life is a gift and does not have to end on earth.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life. God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him”. – John 3:16-17.
The blessing of the ultimate sacrifice is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to say this prayer aloud and truly believe from the depths of your heart:
Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Saviour. Amen.
If you said this prayer and/or have any questions, please send your message to – josie@isaytheword.com
You have read all the way to here! Thank you 🙂 Peace and every good blessing be yours in Jesus Name. Amen.
-Josie x