Easter

The Help We Need

DrJayCook Easter , , , , , , , , ,

If my truck breaks down in the middle of nowhere, I hope someone stops to help.  If my back goes out when I have a lot of work to do, I hope someone can help.  If I am about to eat something that could harm me, I hope someone lets me know.  Basically, if I ever need help, I hope I get it.

My friends, we all need help.

Heaven is perfect.  We are not.  We cannot undo the wrongs (sins) we have done.  And we will all die someday and face God.  We need help.

THAT is Easter!

God loves you.  He is willing to forgive you.  He offers salvation to you.  But you must accept His offer.

Because we do not deserve Heaven, God made a way through Jesus and the cross.  2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus paid the price that we owe.  1 Peter 2:24 states, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed.”

Before He died, Jesus uttered the words that could change our lives (they changed my life): “It is finished!”  He paid the price.

That payment is not automatic for anyone, though.  Jesus offers forgiveness and salvation if you are willing to accept His salvation and follow Him.  We do not get to make up our own way; we lost that right by not deserving salvation. We must choose His way.

Jesus even proved His power over sin and death by rising from the dead.  He showed us that nothing is greater or more powerful than He is.  And that power is available to you.  Romans 6:4 states, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

We may have added a lot of extra festivities, fluff, and decorations to Easter, but the day will always be about Jesus loving us, dying in our place, offering salvation to us, and defeating death.

If you have never accepted His gift on His terms, the time to do it is now.  We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds tomorrow.  Reach out to me if you would like to know more.

And Happy Easter!

If you’d like to dig into the evidence behind Easter, check out the following excellent resource…

How Much Do You Care about Those in Your Life?

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If a bridge is out of commission, don’t you want someone to post a warning?

If a convict escapes, don’t you want someone to let the public know?

If a fire breaks out, don’t you want someone to warn you?

We want to know if we are about to face trouble.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  It marks the day (before Jesus faced the cross) when the crowds cheered in excitement as Jesus came to Jerusalem.  They lined the road, laid clothing on His path, waved palm branches, and shouted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38)

It was thrilling and joyous.  People were excited and thought that everything was going to be great.  However, they chose not to remember all that Jesus had said concerning the consequences of sin.  They wanted a “savior” to bring power and prestige for their nation, but they did not want to admit their need for spiritual salvation.

What we sometimes forget about Palm Sunday is that just after the pomp and excitement, Jesus looked out and wept for the city.  He knew what they were bringing on themselves.  He knew the danger because He had warned them again and again.  He was about to give His life in payment for their sins against God, and they didn’t seem to care.

Yet Jesus faced the horrors of the cross anyway.

Today, we see a similar situation.

Many people seem to ignore the reality of eternity.  Many seem to want to ignore what Jesus said about how to have salvation and instead think they can make up their own rules.  Many seem to ignore what Jesus said about following Him and instead think their own standards are good enough.  Consider the rise of bitterness, anger, division, and lawlessness as proof.  Consider the decline of participation in the churches for which Jesus died as proof.

What will you do about it?  How much do you care about those in your life?

The bridge is out.  The convict is on the loose.  The fire is spreading.  Are you warning them?  Do you weep over where they are?

Jesus deserves the praise of a Palm Sunday.  Jesus also deserves the concern that He showed as He looked out over those whom He loved.  Jesus deserves our full devotion because He gave His full life and love to us.

Though talking about Jesus may seem scary or overwhelming, you may want to check out the following book for insight into how ALL of us can do it…