Did you know that God has this great big love story just for you? The part of this great big love story I'm going to share with you today was written by the apostle Matthew! So, before you continue reading...go check out Matthew 27-28!!
The main character in this love story is Jesus, the Son of God! The thing is, no one believed Him!! They accused Jesus of blasphemy and decided to put Him on the cross for His apparent "crime!" Before they took Him to the cross they mocked Him. The people dressed Jesus up in a scarlet robe, put a crown of thorns on His head, and gave Him a staff. They would bow down before Jesus and shout, "Hail, king of the Jews!"
After they mocked Him, they spat on Him and struck Him with the staff. Then they put His normal clothes back on and took Him to be crucified. After they stripped Him down and handed out all of His clothing, they hung Jesus on the cross and put a sign above His head that read, "THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS."
While Jesus was hanging on the cross He cried out, asking God why He had forsaken Him. You see, Jesus knew what He had to do and knew that this needed to be done, but it caused Him so much pain. Jesus could have called an army of angels down to lift Him off the cross and take Him back to be with God, but Jesus knew that He needed to die so that we could be saved. When Jesus was hanging on the cross He didn't only face physical pain, but He faced the pain of all of our sins. He faced OUR punishment. When He called out to God, there was no answer. Jesus took on the abandonment of God that we deserved.
After Jesus died, His body was put in a tomb. But the guards were scared, remembering Jesus saying that "After three days I will rise again." They thought that Jesus' disciples may steal the body, so they covered the tomb with a giant stone and had guards keep watch. With the death of Jesus, it seemed to be the darkest time in all of history....but wait! An angel appeared and moved the great big stone three days later!!! He told the women, “Don't be afraid!! I know you're looking for Jesus, but He's not here...He's risen from the dead, just like He said He would!!! Come, look!" Just like the angel said, His body was gone! The angel then told the women to go and tell all of Jesus' disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead and that He would meet them in Galilee! Just like the angel said, He met them in Galilee and told His disciples to go and make MORE disciples!!! He ended by telling them that He would be with them forever!!!
What a perfect love story, right? Someone who had the perfect life came down to live in a world sinners, while He remained perfect and sinless, and then faced our punishment so that we didn't have to. That, my friends, is true love!
So, what's the great thing about today? The fact that not only had Jesus taken on our punishment and faced death, but that He defeated death!!!! How unbelievably amazing is that!? Jesus defeated death...now we get to do that as well! We get to spend eternity in heaven and that is all because of what He did. It fills my heart with joy and my eyes with tears! Because He died for me, I WILL live for Him! I hope you have a wonderful easter and keep Jesus and His great love for you as the focus!
Love you lots, Natalie