Easter is too good to miss

Another Holy Week arrives. I know how this all turns out on Easter, but I can still feel myself being tugged down a little. 

Isaiah 53

I hear these words from Isaiah 53, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah reminds me why Jesus suffered. 

Jesus died for me

Sure, it was for the sins of the all people who have lived and will ever live. Sometimes I want to ignore the fact that I am part of that world. My sins brought the crushing suffering down on Jesus. And even though I know that fact, I still find myself going astray from where I need to be in my life–I keep on sinning. And my descent continues.

The same passage also tells me of the great love my God has for me, in fact for all people. 

His death forgives all my sins

The guilt of all my sins were placed on Jesus. He bore the punishment for every sin I have ever done, and  for the ones I am, sadly, still committing. Jesus sinless life and perfection were exchanged for my sinfulness and imperfection. 

Now, when my Heavenly Father looks at me, he sees his Son's suffering and death. My debt is paid. I am at peace with God.

His death overcomes my guilt

I know I am at peace with God, but that does not remove the realization of how much I was the cause of Jesus' need to die. Maybe I am being reminded of how dependent I am on that forgiveness for hope. Maybe I am simply tired of the sins I still see in my life.

But there is no maybe about this: the same love that resulted in Jesus being sent into this world, and made him stay on the cross despite knowing I would still commit the sins of today–that perfect love says to me, "You are forgiven." 

Easter guarantees it

That needs to be my focus this Holy Week. Because, as I said earlier, I know that Easter is coming.

Easter is not too far away and its message is too good to miss.

Source: Just Following Him