JESUS
...The Easter Story
You are wondering why Easter is a special weekend for Christians around the world. It has nothing to do with bunnies and colorful eggs. That maybe fun for children but it really is no part of the Christian story of Easter. It is the weekend that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The evidence that Jesus is alive is powerful and indisputable. Easter is also the weekend that many stop to remember not only the crucifixion (painful death) of Jesus but why it all happened in the first place.
This is the Easter Story.
God Loves You
God is not a hard and cruel or distant God who is unpredictable. God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.
One of the most loved verses in the Bible is John Chapter 3 and verse 16:
God so loved the world
He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him,
should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
God Loves Us Despite our Big Problem
We have the problem of sin - all of us. The Bible says everyone has sinned (done wrong) and falls below God's holy standard. (1) Because this is God's universe, He has determined that the penalty of sin is death. Death also means separation. Our sins will separate us from the Holy God. (2)
But the Easter Good News is God loved us so much, He Himself did something about our sins.
God Proved He Loved Us 2000 Years Ago
Easter weekend marks the anniversary of the most amazing display of love the world has ever seen. God proved, beyond any doubt, that He loves you and me.
God sent His own Son Jesus down from Heaven to Planet Earth on a mission of love. The Bible says: "God demonstrated His love to us; while we were still sinners, Christ (Jesus) died for us." (3)
Jesus came to Earth to be punished and die for our sins. On Easter weekend, Jesus was nailed to a cross near Jerusalem. On that cross Jesus suffered and died for the sins of the entire world.
But that is not the end of the story.
The Death of Jesus Was Not a Defeat
Jesus died. That is why He came to the world. He came to die for your sins and mine. He was completely innocent but He died in the place of the guilty ones. He paid for our sins by dying. (4)
He was not defeated. His mission was 100% successful.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. The proofs of His resurrection are multiple.
The resurrection of Jesus means His mission to deal with the problem of our sin was successful. He raised Jesus, His Son from the dead. (5)
Today, Jesus is the one and only way to God. Other historic religious leaders who have many people following their teachings today are, in fact, dead. What distinguishes the Christian faith from all other belief systems is the indisputable fact that Jesus is alive. He is with His Father God in Heaven. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except by Me." (6)
Did Jesus Die for the Sins of Every Person?
The Bible says yes. Jesus died for people from every part of the world. Jesus did not just die for people who believe the Bible. He died for you too. He paid for your sins - your wrongs.
The Bible says that Jesus is the satisfaction for our sins and not for ours only but for the sins of the entire world. (7) That includes you.
Non-Christians and Easter
Even though you do not go to a 'Christian' church - the Easter Story is for you. God loves you. Jesus died for your sins to be your Rescuer. Your Saviour. He will receive you just as you are today. He wants to be your Personal Saviour and Lord.
How can you have your sins removed from God's record? The Bible says: 'The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son washes away all our sins." (8)
How can you receive the blessing of eternal life? How can you receive forgiveness? How can you have a personal relationship with God?
The Bible says: 'As many as received Him (Jesus) to them He gave the right to become the Children of God, even to those who believe on His Name." (9)
Would you like to receive the Lord Jesus right now as your Saviour? Would you like to thank Him for dying on the Cross for your sins?
He offers you the gift of eternal life. (10) Receive Him now as your Saviour and Lord, and the gift of eternal life and Heaven will be yours today and forever. You can never lose it once you accept it. The One who died to save you from your sins is alive today to keep you and bless you eternally.
Are you a Muslim? an Atheist? a Hindu? a Buddhist? The Easter story and the good news of Christ is for all. Do yourself a favor; find a Bible and take some time to read the Easter story as found in the last four chapters of the Gospel of John. You will find this story interesting.
Will you receive Him now?
References:
- Romans 3:23
- Romans 6:23
- Isaiah 59:2
- Romans 5:6
- 1 Peter 2:23, 1Peter 3:18
- John 14:6
- 1John 2:2
- 1John 1:7
- John 1:12
- Romans 6:23