Salvation Has its Foundation — A CROSS.
Raised to eternal life. Through a cross. On a lonely hill. A cross in the middle of three.
In Christ Alone.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.( Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, 2001)
Reflection. Through Jesus’ cross on Golgotha. Christ’s cross in the middle of three. Where our beloved Savior was crucified. We are washed clean.
Scripture Readings: There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. (John 19:18, ISV)
At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. (Matthew 27:38, ISV)
Jesus Christ not only hung on His cross and died. So we would not have to die a spiritual death. Our Redeemer. Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday rose victorious over the sting of death. Jesus left His tomb empty. Jesus rose on the third day to live for eternity in Heaven. Jesus now sits on His Heavenly throne. On the right of the Almighty One in Heaven for eternity.
Scripture Reading: For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18, ISV)
Jesus’ death paid the price for our sin. We are saved through the pure and the innocent blood of the Lamb of God. Our eternal salvation was purchased on the Hill of Golgotha.
Scripture Reading: The living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (Revelation 1:18, ISV)
Jesus walked victorious over the sting of death. Jesus rose. So we could rise in and with Him.
Jesus, God the Son loves us so. Jesus Christ died to pay the price for our sin. Christ hung on His wicked and His soul-saving cross. On the hill of Golgotha. On His cross. In between two thieves who so deserved their fate. The innocent One paying our price. His cross in the middle of three. Is our symbol of love and salvation forever more.
Our Lord God said, “it is finished.” Jesus died so we should live. Then God the Son. On Easter Sunday! Jesus, our Redeemer. After three days laying in the darkness of His grave. Jesus through the might and by the love of Almighty God. Jesus our Redeemer. Walked from His empty tomb — ALIVE! Jesus truly died, remained three days in His grave. On Easter Sunday rose victorious over death.
Scripture Reading: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25, ESV)
The wonder. The miracle of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Jesus rose, yes! Jesus actually rose from death. His resurrection was not a mere resuscitation. As was the miracle of Lazarus. Jesus as we remember. Lay in the darkness of His grave for three long days and nights.
“Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” That’s it. The end. He died and they buried Him. (Ray Pritchard, Keep Believing Ministries Blog)
You and I believe every word written by Almighty God in His Word. The Scriptures clearly state what truly happened. Early on that first Easter Sunday morning. Over two millennia ago. The tomb of Jesus lay empty. The heavy stone was rolled away. The burial clothes lay empty. Where the body of Jesus should have been.
We picture ourselves there. We walk up to the tomb. The heavy stone has been rolled aside. Trembling and so very frightened. We dare to step up and glance inside. The tomb is empty. Where? Oh! Where have they taken the body of our Lord?
Jesus’ burial clothes also lay empty. Where His body should be. Where is our beloved?
Then we dare, with trembling hands, to turn around. There to our wonder. To the utter amazement of our broken hearts. Stands our beloved. Jesus our LORD, our Savior, our God. Jesus stands just a feet away. Our Lord. He is risen. His hands. Those beloved and precious hands. Still bear the scars from the cruel Roman nails. On His forehead are the scars from the crown of thorns. Dare we? We reach out and touch Jesus ……………….
Yes!!! Jesus is the very same beloved Man. We have been with for three long years.
Jesus rose from the grave. The very same fully Man. Fully God, He was when He was crucified. Jesus proved this to Saint Timothy.
A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe. (John 20:26–27, ESV)
Saint Thomas reached out his hand and touched the eternally scarred hands of Jesus. In the place where the Roman spear pierced our Lord’s side. Thomas placed his hand. Jesus very much was the Man, Thomas loved and worshiped. Jesus very much the Man who was crucified on the Friday three days before. Jesus was very much the Man who hung on the cross in the middle. On the hill — GOLGOTHA.
Jesus rose bodily from His empty tomb. And so shall we.
This is the church’s message. Read the book of Acts. Study the sermons of Peter and Paul. The climax was not “Christ is crucified,” but “Christ is risen from the dead!” That’s the message that turned the world upside down. The Son of God had come back from the dead! Nothing like that had ever happened before. We do not worship a dead Jesus. We worship a risen Christ. That’s why the cross in the sanctuary is empty. Jesus was crucified once and for all — and the cross is empty to remind us that though He died, He did not stay dead. (Ray Pritchard, Keep Believing Ministries Blog)
Conclusion. The true message of Easter Sunday. The risen Jesus gives all those who accept Him as their Savior. Life eternal.
Today’s music video for you to enjoy.
Nico’s article is beautifully written, Diane.
I pray there was something in my article where God blessed you.
If so, please highlight this particular piece.
Send me a comment on how God blessed you through my words.
God keep you safe under His wings always, Diane.
