A Beautiful Easter

Happy Easter, my dear friends!

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her,“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20:10-18

Do you know how much God, your Creator, loves you? He sent His Son to die so that you wouldn't have to perish in darkness. And that Son, Jesus Christ, rose victoriously, conquering sin and death!

We no longer have to be ashamed. We no longer have to be afraid.

We can step into faith, believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and be made new.

Our sins can be washed away! I know I'm a sinner. Some days, I look back on all the selfish, cruel, and vile things I've done ... and I don't want to live with myself.

But the good news is, Jesus Christ's sacrifice has the power to make me a new creation. Different. Wash away that past and give me a sparkly clean future in which I can hold His hand as I journey through.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

And I accepted that. My soul belongs in heaven. So now I can remember that my sins have been atoned for. I still mess up. But I'm a sinner saved by grace. And in God's Word, He says nothing can snatch me from His hand!

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” John 10:28-30

You can accept Christ's sacrifice too. Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave to redeem all of mankind. All you have to do is believe and reach out and take the gift.

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

He loves you.

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Thank you, Lord, for all You have done for us! May we understand Your love more each day, and joyfully and freely love You back!