Putting it in that term seems to help me focus on what the truth of the weekend is that including Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This year I am focused on the simplistic truth of the annual remembrance.
I laugh when people say, “I don’t like racing. All they do is turn left and go in circles.” If it was that simple everyone would race and win but we know it is much more complex than that. Not only the driving part but the real complexities are in the shop and getting the sponsorship to be able to buy the equipment needed to compete and having a crew that can make the adjustments needed. Those that say it is just turning left and going is circles are right if racing can be broken down to who can turn left, drive in circles and get to the checkered flag first.
As we reflect on Easter it can be broken down to a historical event just under 2000 years ago that is the most significant event in all of history.
Here is the simplistic message of Easter: Throughout the Bible we can see that we have sinned. That is, each one of us has fallen short of the mark set out by God1. He gives us laws and commands that we can and should follow Him with so that it may go well with us. If we have sinned, as God says, then we are sinners and that separates us from God for eternity.
“But” is a great word in Scripture. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
There is a solution for our sin. It is Jesus and only Jesus.
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
- Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- 1 John 4:9-11 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
We see that we have all sinned and need to be saved. We see the only Savior is Jesus and He is the only Savior because He died for us. We see that we have to accept Him as LORD. We have to repent, turn from self to Him. We see He must rule over our lives to be saved. Have you done that? Have you called out to Him? I hope so. I hope you take the time to stop and really think about this. If you have turned your life over to Jesus, I hope this is a time of reflection and worship and crediting Him with all He has done.
Happy Easter and see you at a track soon and of course, have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Pastor Todd
If I can help in any way in understanding this or any other of life’s complexities please let me know. I would be glad to help.
Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.; Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.