The greatest love story ever told occurred almost 2000 years ago, when God gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of the world. Many of you reading this have children. You love your children. You wouldn't sacrifice your children for the world. God did! John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The Easter story includes the crucifixion and death of Christ on the cross for our sins, His burial and His bodily resurrection 3 days and 3 nights after His burial. He rose again victorious over death, hell and the grave, and because He lives, we may live also.
The human race had no hope unless there was a perfect sacrifice to bear our sins and pay our death penalty. Only Christ met that criteria. So He left the splendors of Heaven and came to this sin-cursed, God hating world to do for us what we could not do for ourselves - provide a means of salvation. His blood was shed to appease the just wrath of a Holy God and to make atonement for our souls.
To those that believe that Christ did this all for them and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, God gives to them the gift of eternal life. What a wonderful love story! Have you acknowledged Jesus as your Savior? Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved ..." (John 10:9) God loves you so much as an individual, He allowed His Son to die for you. I can think of nothing greater that He could have done to show the world how much He loves us! Can you?
1. The Worst Part Of The Story
Jesus was sinless and perfect. Any casual reader of the Bible knows this. (Study II Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:26, I Peter 1:19, etc.) However, Jesus "became sin for us" - II Corinthians 5:21.
How did He do this? I Peter 2:24 says, "who his own self bare our sin IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE ..." The prophet Isaiah described it this way: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and THE LORD HATH LAID ON HIM the iniquity of US ALL." (53:6)
Man has suffered many things because of his sins. We were born sinners and we are sinners by choice. Jesus never sinned, but was made sin by taking upon Himself our sins. Result: The consequences man suffers from his sin, Christ suffered also! Let's consider:
A. Sin caused Jesus pain.
A messianic Psalm, the 22nd, describes His suffering, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws, and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.." (vs. 14,15)
The pain Christ suffered was physical. Sometimes ours is physical, emotional, financial, etc.. sin brings with it a curse to the human race and without a doubt - suffering.
B. Sin kept Him in darkness.
Right in the middle of the day, when men should enjoy the light darkness filled the earth from noon till 3 p.m. that day (Mark 15:33).
Men walk in darkness with sin blinded eyes. Blind leaders lead the blind, and both fall into the ditch.
Mankind plods through life not knowing where they've been or where they are going (John 12:35).
C. Sin separated Him from the Father.
From the cross He cried out, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). God is Holy. Among other things, the word "Holy" means to "be separate from sin." When Jesus became sin for us, during that time He became separate from the Father.
Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will I not hear."
D. Sin caused Him to thirst.
Jesus, on the cross said, "I thirst." John 19:28. His thirst was physical. Our thirst is spiritual. We are not satisfied. If we could gain the world we'd still be missing something. Deep down inside everyone is a void, an emptiness, a question mark. This can only be filled by Jesus Christ. He said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me " John 7:37. Only God can satisfy the thirst of your soul.
E. Sin caused Him to die.
Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned ..." Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death ..." All are sinners, all die. Sometimes young, sometimes quite old, but it is universal.
I Corinthians 15:3 says, "... Christ DIED FOR OUR SINS ..."
F. Sin caused His soul to be sent into hell.
The dead body of Jesus went into a tomb. (John 19:40-42) His spirit went up into Heaven and was commended into the hands of the Father. (Luke 23:46), but His soul went into hell.
Acts 2:27 says concerning Christ, "Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." Acts 2:31, 32 (See also Ephesians 4:9, Matthew 12:40, Jonah 2:2)
CONCLUSION:
Sin costs a terrible price. It cost Jesus. It costs us. It brings with it a heavy load of consequences that are unbearable and eternal.
The good news of the Easter story is, we can BE SAVED FROM OUR SINS AND THE SUBSEQUENT CONSEQUENCES OF THEM!
Jesus paid it all! He did it for you! You, PERSONALLY. He loves you so much it's incredible. Nobody ever cared for us like Jesus does. He wants to be your Savior and best friend. He wants to be real to you. He didn't suffer on the cross because He didn't have anything better to do. No! But to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.
I've never regretted accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour 20 years ago. I believed that His sacrifice on the cross, His burial and His resurrection were for me. I received the Lord as my Saviour and asked Him to come into my life and save me. Have you ever done this? If not, why not? What more could God do to show you He loves you than to give His Son?
This Easter Season ask God through prayer to save you from your sins, thank the Lord Jesus Christ for what He did for you, and trust Him to be your Savior! Can you do that? Why not do it right now. Stop and pray, asking Jesus Christ to be your Saviour.
