Gift of Salvation

 

Happy Easter All!   I pray this day found all of you worshipping the One who fought sin for us as well as time spent with family.  During these past few weeks of Lent, we focused on some of the gifts that Jesus gave us.  The last, and probably the most important gift, is the one for today, salvation!  Grace, mercy, peace, love, righteousness and forgiveness are incredible and generous gifts from Jesus.  Yet, all of them culminate to the greatest gift – an eternal life with Jesus.

When I think about what Jesus did for me during Holy Week, from his triumphant journey into Jerusalem, to his walk to Golgotha, and then his victorious rising from the tomb, I become so humbled.  Jesus’ life, from being born in Bethlehem to dying on the cross, was all in response to me!  It was all in response to you!  Response to what?  My sinful ways, my sinful nature.  During Lent, I typically reflect upon my life and my horrible sins. 

Those large sins usually are the first to my mind – hurting loved ones, making wrong choices, priorities that were not correct – all yielding sins that I deeply remember.  Yet, those are not the only sins Jesus died for.  He died for those sins that are pesky – the ones I do repeatedly (they are just little sins, right?).  He died for the sins that I am aware of and those that do not even come up on my radar screen.   The guilt of my sinful nature is great; it weighs heavy on my heart.  For I know what I deserve for those sins – the large ones and the pesky ones.  I Deserve Death!  I deserve to be on the cross, hanging with the thieves.  I deserve life in hell.  As our verse for today says, “the wages of sin is death.”  Are your sins like that?  Do they fill you with guilt and heartache?  I have good news for you!

Our death was taken by Jesus.  Our sins He took from us.  Jesus came to us so we could be saved by Him.

The wonderful gift of salvation could only be given by Jesus.  Nobody else could have given us this gift – the gift we did not deserve.  There has been nothing I have done in my life to justify Jesus rising from the tomb for me.  Nothing!  Yet, he rose for me, for my salvation.  By Jesus rising from the tomb, I now will be able to see Him, face to face, in paradise.  That is not because of MY works, but by Jesus’ death.  He has given me salvation and eternal life.  The hope that comes with both those things is what brings me to the foot of the cross, to thank Him and let Him know that I love Him for what he did for me.

As Easter 2021 passes, I pray that you spend time thanking Jesus – for his gifts of grace, mercy, peace, love, righteousness, forgiveness and most importantly, salvation.  Thank Him for the hope he has provided us, knowing that we will have eternal life with Him.  Thank Him for wiping our sins away so that we can be pure as snow.  The gift of salvation is for every person.  If you know someone who does not know Jesus, give that person the gift of salvation – introduce them to Jesus.  One day, they may share this precious gift with others.  Happy Easter!

Dearest Jesus, you have provided me with so many wonderful gifts.  Yet, the gift of salvation and eternal life with you is the greatest.  Through this gift, I know my sins have been forgiven and I will see you one day in paradise.  Until that day, please stand beside me and provide me the knowledge of this gift – forgiveness of my sins and hope in the life I will one day have with you.  Amen