What the Easter Bunny Can't Do- The Triumph of the Cross

Did the Easter Bunny bring you all you wanted? My bet is he did not. What we really want is something that lasts behind chocolate that melts, that next Walt Disney World trip, or whatever shiny, new, bright thing it is you want. 

You know, nobody kills the Easter Bunny. But the best gift of all came from one who was sentenced to die. He followed through because of love. Love for a lost and broken and hurting- even angry- mankind. Jesus doesn't look the other way. He sees you. He knows you. And he's waiting for you. In fact, he went a step further and died in our place. He paid the price we should have.

Because of his great love, Jesus keeps things simple. "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (The verse in the Bible is found in the book of John, chapter 14, verse 6.) 

It wasn't an easy journey. First came death on a cross. A brutal and terrifying way to die. Torture like none other. Medically, it's just an awfully painful way to die. His radical way to show great love begins with his submission to this kind of death.

But oh, then comes Easter Sunday morning- the Triumph of Jesus over sin and death- for our benefit! Never a victim- always a champion. He accomplished this great mission born from Love- the very mission the Father gave Him. Jesus the triumphant one! Preachers everywhere should remember this! As should the people He gave his life for.

Imagine being one of his followers back in ancient days. You go to the tomb expecting to offer your prayers and honor Jesus, but instead a great surprise awaits. Exploring the empty tomb, you discover His crucified body has instead risen back to life- all to the glory of God the Father. Then you remember Jesus' own words that He would rise again- fully paying the price for my sin and yours. Owning this as eternal truth deep inside your heart leads to untold adventures of spirit and soul. 

His follower Peter had it right. When Jesus said, "Who do you say that I am?", he answered "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." (See the Bible's Book of Matthew, chapter 16, verses 13-20.) 

Then Peter got scared, eventually ran away when the soldiers came to take Jesus. But Peter came back to his senses, and he became a powerful leader for those who loved Jesus. 

Don't be fooled- Hell is a real place. It's a place designed for all who reject God's gift of Jesus for the payment for our sins. When Jesus returns to judge the earth, our chances to decide for him are over, never again to be offered to us. 

Just like Peter, we all have to answer Jesus' question- "Who do you say that I am?"