Because… SUNDAY!
When I am reminded about the Truth of what really happened on this day all those years ago, I sob. I truly do… ask my friends. To think of what our Savior experienced during this whole week culminating in this, the day of His crucifixion, saddens me… actually grieves me to my core. What Jesus Christ through His Father and with The Holy Spirit was willing to do and then did for us on this day over 2,000 years ago is incomprehensible to me. This act truly shows us how very, very much and how very, very deeply He loves us! Now, the fact that this very day in 2022 coincides with the Jewish festival of Passover makes… at least for me… today even more special. Why? Well, firstly, both of these days are of vital importance to each of the faiths and always have been. Secondly, both days (better yet, let’s say both time periods as we are really not just talking about one day) indeed celebrate the same thing. At each of their cores, both celebrations celebrate, well, “The Blood”. Does that sound crazy to you? It used to to me! How can one celebrate blood? In both of these moments in history, it was indeed “Blood” that protected, saved and freed! Protected, saved and freed who? The captives… That‘s you and me! Let’s examine. Remember Moses? He, a Jewish baby, was saved by an Egyptian princess as she found him floating down the Nile River in a basket. Well, he was certainly saved for a reason! In time, Moses learned from The Lord Himself that he was sent to save his people, the Jews, from slavery under the Egyptians. Let’s skip ahead.
~ Now, I must admit, my mind goes straight to this scene with Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner in one of my favorite movies EVER, “The 10 Commandments”. Oh, please watch it! ~
Moses, affirmed in his calling and faith, pleaded with Pharoah to ”Let my people go…” (Exodus 9:1), yet as the Bible says, Pharaoh hardened his heart (Exodus 8:32) not only once, but time and time again and through many plagues. It came down to the final and worst plague… The first born would die. But God had a plan… He ALWAYS does and this particular plan foreshadows what was to come through His Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Moses instructed the Jews to put the blood of a sacrificed lamb over and alongside their doorposts. As the pestilence of death moved through the city, those who did this and their homes would be spared. And it was so. Not only that… but freedom through the parting of The Red Sea was just around the corner! Praise God! (Again, please watch ”The 10 Commandments”!) Let’s fast forward now, about 1600 years.
As Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, Who… just as the Passover lamb, did no wrong… was betrayed, arrested, tried and then nailed upon the cross, His Blood, His pure blood, was shed. This blood, His Blood is sacrificial, too. For who? For those who believe. In what? That on that cross, through that sacrifice, He alone took our sins… ALL of them so we could be forgiven… SET FREE! Let’s say it another way… money-like. When we have a debt, we must pay it or we suffer the consequences be it shut off electric or water, loss of credit, even eviction. But once it’s paid, and sometimes we must sacrifice something to do so… a new car, a vacation, a bigger home, we’re free of it! We are cleansed of a bad record, right? OK, back to Jesus… Through the shedding of His Pure Blood, we were “paid for”. His Blood sacrifice was a payment for our debt… our sins. His sacrifice cleared our account… It cleansed us! We’re now “debt free”! Get it?
AND if that’s not enough…
After His earthly death, on the third day, He was risen from it to once and for all prove He is Who He said… Son of God! There are witnesses, too, Mary Magdalene, Peter, Thomas (”doubting Thomas”, that is!) and many others. No other leader, spiritual or political, did this or will do this… ever again! Think about that for a minute. Need proof? OK!
“That the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24:7
Because of His sacrifice, we who believe and receive Him are spared death. What do you mean? We all die! Yes, we do... in the physical, on this earth. But, OH, when the Believer leaves this earth! OH… We are NEVER to be the same again for we are welcomed into His Home, our Home… Heaven!
It is here we will receive new bodies. Here we will live with Him in total peace and health FOREVER and EVER! Need proof? OK!
”He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 Sound too good to be true? Maybe to some, but to me… It not only “sounds” wonderful… IT IS wonderful!
There’s a saying… “It’s all about The Blood”. Maybe, just maybe, you can see this more clearly now, today. I hope so. I pray so. Blessings to you and yours as we now celebrate both Passover and Resurrection Day! Praise Him, thank Him, share His story.
I’ll leave you with this… Where are you spending eternity? Forever is a long, long time.
In Christ,
~ Chris