“He is Risen!”
says your neighbor’s garden sign with a matching wreath on their front door. You received about a dozen invitations to church in the last three weeks. We all know that Jesus died and rose again a few days later, and conquered death. Woohoo, go Jesus!
While that is amazing, I want to go deeper into the Easter story and what that really means for you and I. I was going to try and summarize the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection but there really is no way to successfully accomplish that without stripping it of its power. Instead, let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Earlier in the week, I posted a survey online for people to anonymously analyze themselves, then finish the following statement: I am _____ .
I am afraid.
I am a coward.
I am depressed. I am weak.
I am insecure, I am doubtful, I am a sinner.
I am a failure…Try to keep up with the pace of life, try to prioritize, try to be the best. But no matter how hard I try I end up disappointed and dissatisfied.
I am reckless, I am a liar, I am fearful.
I am overwhelmed. I smile and put on a face, yet recently I feel like crying 24/7 I feel the universe is purposely making me miserable and putting me down when I keep fighting with everything I got to go through it.
My dear friend, how my heart breaks for you. Have you not heard? The Savior bled to mend your wounds. His head was bowed and covered with thorns so you could lift yours. He conquered sin and death, what more is there to fear? Have you not heard? You are made new! He chose you and not because He had to- He wanted you.
You who are unworthy, a coward, liar, thief, addict, murderer, Jesus says “No! That is not who you are!” He sees you as His precious child. You have been redeemed.
1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment. I love how the NLT version states it saying that those who fear have yet to experience His perfect love.
Do you really think that because you are flawed Jesus wouldn’t love you? Homegirl, please! The King of kings willingly gave His life for you to live yours. I also want to remind you of who Jesus’ squad was, by the way.
- Matthew was a tax-collector so people kinda naturally didn’t like the dude. Tax collectors were dishonest people and basically thieves.
- Ever heard the term, “Doubting Thomas”? Jesus’ homeboy Thomas is where that roots from. Thomas was easily discouraged and focused too much on the microscopic view of things rather than the bigger picture.
- James or son of Zebedee, I read an article saying that Jesus called him Boanerges which means “son of thunder” because he had such a stormy personality. He was easily angered and made upset.
- Simon-Peter cut off a dude’s ear, let’s just start with that. I’ve heard it said that he had a case of foot in mouth disease because he was impulsive and quick to speak.
- Lastly, in our quick list, we have Judas. Jesus knew that his friend would betray Him and lead Him to his death… Yet Jesus loved him, anyway.
If Jesus did ministry with people such as these, surely He is not ashamed of you. He is by your side and loves you more than you can ever comprehend. Lift your eyes, beloved. He is your joy, He is your strength. Cast your old self aside and discover your new identity in Christ.
“Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow…”
Happy Easter, Crowned Beauties.
