Here we are, Easter 2021. The entire world seems to be going crazy. Sin is running roughshod over the world. Left is right, right is left, up is down, down is up, wrong is right, and right is wrong. Male is female, female is male, of course, unless it’s neither male nor female. We are not supposed to see the difference in the races, except we are supposed to give special privileges to “people of color.” We are supposed to promote diversity unless we think differently than our “woke” and liberal masters. Then we are white supremacists. I could go on and on and on, but I’m sure you get the picture. The real question is, why does this surprise the Christian? The Bible tells us in several places that the time is coming when everything will be in chaos. That time is here. Whatever is happening or is going to happen, Easter is the time of year we need to focus on our Lord and Savior’s work, Jesus Christ, did for us. As Christians, we need to hold fast to the Word and become more like Jesus every day.
Philippians 2:1-11 CSB
If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, [2] make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in Spirit, intent on one purpose. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. [4] Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. [5] Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. [7] Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, [8] he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. [9] For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in Heaven and on earth and under the earth— [11] and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Wow! What more can be said. The Apostle Paul wrapped everything up very nicely. I think sometimes we forget just what a sacrifice was made for us. Jesus always has been, is, and forever will be God. He is the second person of the Trinity. He was there when the world and everything in it was made. He loves us because He made us in His image. I’m going to focus on three verses.
In verses 6-8, we see that Jesus made a decision. Because of the sin that had entered the world, He was going to be separated from His people. Something had to be done. As humans, we were not and are not capable of paying the penalty for our sin. We are hopelessly lost. There was and is only one way for Christ to reconcile His people to Himself.
Think for a moment of what this entails. The Creator of the universe, God Himself, left His home in Heaven and was born into this sinful world for the sole purpose of sacrificing Himself for the payment of your sin and my sin. More than 2,000 years ago, He knew we would one day live and need a Savior. What is even more spectacular is He did this for people that have not cared at all about Him. Look at what the Bible says about us:
Romans 3:10-18 CSB
as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. [11] There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. [13] Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. [14] Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, [17] and the path of peace they have not known. [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.
These verses are a description of who we are apart from Christ. However, regardless of how bad we have been, Jesus made Himself a sacrifice so that those who call on His name shall be saved.
Romans 3:22-24 CSB
The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. [23] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; [24] they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
So, in this Easter season, think of the sacrifice that God Himself made for you, the vilest and wretched sinner that you are. Because of that great sacrifice, you may be forgiven and washed as white as snow before a Holy and Pure God. Make the decision to live for Him, who sacrificed so much for you.
Romans 10:9-13 CSB
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. [11] For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, [12] since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. [13] For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
If you have any questions about how to be saved or how to live the Christian life, please feel free to contact me. If you are a member of a local Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church, please support it with your time, talent, and treasure. If you are a new Christian and are looking for a church, please contact me, and I will help you find one. If you are looking for a new church home, please contact me, and I will help you as well.
Somebody's Gotta Say It... 