Easter is my favorite time of year. I am not a big fan of winter or the cold. So, when I see the grass turning green and the trees starting to bud out I get excited about the new life that surrounds us each spring.
That same excitement fills my heart when we go through the Lenten Season and it reaches a crescendo on Easter Sunday morning when we celebrate our risen Lord and Savior. The old way of sacrificial atonement for our sin was done away with by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. His love for us was so great and so deep that he found joy in laying down His life that we could have the hope of eternal life.
There are so many verses that tell of this wondrous sacrifice that I would like to share a thread of some of these meaningful words.
Romans 5:8 tells us of God’s love for us.
“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
I John 4:10 speaks of this love as well.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Jesus did away with the old covenant method of recompense for sinful behavior, which was repetitious blood sacrifices made at the temple.
Hebrews 9:20–22 tells us, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
In Matthew 5:17 Jesus gives us the answer to this conundrum. He became the ‘one time’ sacrifice by shedding His blood on our behalf. Jesus tells us,“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Jesus made all things new by becoming this new covenant, fulfilling the law of blood atonement required for forgiveness of sin. All that is required of us to receive that atonement and forgiveness is to repent of our sins and believe in this finished work of Christ in our stead. This is called regeneration and when this takes place all things become new.
II Corinthians 5:17 illustrates this new beginning.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
I recently met with a Pastor of a church down the street from ours. We met to determine if there could be ways that we could more effectively minister to our people and the community by praying for each other and joining together to be most fruitful in our efforts. He made a statement that encouraged me and brought hope. The thought that God may be doing some new things filled my thoughts.
He said, “We need to find ways that this could work instead of looking for ways that it wouldn’t.”
God is painting a picture of new beginnings in nature as each day we see new things that add to the beauty of spring.
He is also showing us the potential of new beginnings for those that yield their lives to Christ and purpose to live an existence that is pleasing to God and bears fruit for His kingdom.
May we take time this Easter to reflect on the finished work of Christ. He did not abolish the requirement of blood for forgiveness of sin, but He fulfilled it by His loving sacrifice and shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary.
The message of this glorious gift should always be on our lips as we need to share this hope with those around us that need the confidence of eternal life.
Find ways that this could work and allow your ministry to be fruitful as God uses you for His glory!
