As chocolate bunnies begin to hop into our lives and we stock up on pretty dresses, let us pause to meditate on the reason for Easter. With busy schedules and church events, we can get trapped within the busyness of this season and completely miss the significance.
I like to think about how Jesus lived while on earth and the love he shared with the marginalized and outcasts. I love how he served and taught anyone who would listen. Even as he was preparing for his crucifixion, he took the time to feed his closest friends and wash their feet in a last display of servitude.
Paid in Full
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
I had the pleasure of speaking with our youth group this week about Jesus’ death and resurrection. My goal was to show them how Jesus came to love, serve, and pay a ransom (Matthew 20:28) so we could live a life free from the debt of sin and shame.
I asked them if they would still make payments on a debt that had already been paid in full. Everyone agreed that continuing to pay on a debt that was paid off was not a good use of money. Then I changed the question around and asked that if Jesus paid for our sins, why do we live in bondage? Why do we live under labels like unworthy, forgotten, unlovable, and broken? If Jesus paid for all of our sins, why do we live under a perpetual storm cloud like there is no hope for us?
When Jesus was resurrected, he showed us how we can lay down our lives, which includes our sinful nature, and rise up to be a new creation. What I want for the youth, for you, and for me is to live a risen life that reflects all of the goodness of being free from the debt of sin. Free from guilt. Free from shame. Free from striving in our imperfections to earn what was freely given to us.
Risen Life
Jesus endured a physical death and resurrection so we could follow him in spiritual death and resurrection. We are encouraged throughout the New Testament to lay our lives down and to follow after Christ in pursue a life of continual renewal under grace.
We have been given the gift of wholeness, forgiveness, and freedom. It is already ours, we only need to claim it over our lives.
During his time on earth, Jesus loved, served, and ultimately died to show us how big his love is for us and how far he was willing to go to give us life to the full (John 10:10).
Evidence of a risen life is a life of hope. Through our travels up to the mountain tops and journeys through the valley, we have hope in God’s love for us. We have the security of God’s promises, and we have the assurance of an eternity with him in Heaven.
As we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over the grave, let us praise him for the gift of new life and new hope each day as we lay our lives down for the fullness of a life in Jesus.
Praying Easter blessings for you, my friends.