Do You Believe in Easter?

Daily Devotion written by Shelley Brandon, Grief and Encouragement Coach

Ephesians 1:7 MSG

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.”

Do you believe in Easter?  Do you truly believe in the miraculous mystery that began with the virgin birth of a baby boy and culminated in an empty tomb?  Do you believe in Easter?

I believe in Easter.  I do have to be honest and tell you that I don’t fully understand the miracle.  I grew up watching the old movies about Jesus’ life on Easter weekend on TV.  I always got scared when it came to Jesus’ arrest, beating and crucifixion.  That was just something that I never wanted to see.   I still don’t like to watch that part.  How could they treat Jesus so badly?  I would never have been part of that – or would I?  Do I judge others?  Do I ever talk about these judgments?  Do I gossip?  Do I go with the flow or am I strong enough to stand on my convictions?  Would I give any credence to someone now who claimed to be Jesus?

 

I don’t fully understand the depths of the physical and emotional pain that Christ went through on my behalf.  I mean, I get bent out of shape with a paper cut.  I can’t even come close to comprehending the torture He endured for my freedom.  How can I do anything less than my very best to serve the God who loves me so completely.

Dear God, I realize that my thanks is a very inadequate response to the massive gift of your love for me, but it is all I have.  Thank you for the blood of Christ which was poured out for my sins.  I humbly accept this gift and give you my life in return.  In Jesus’ name… Amen.