No Plastic, Pastel Colored Egg!

This is no plastic, pastel colored egg! This is an empty tomb. Cold and uninhabited! Praise God it is Easter Sunday morning- the celebration of the  Triumph of Jesus over sin and death- for our benefit! Christians the world over rejoice even if the world mocks us.

Jesus was always a champion. He was never the victim, He was the obedient Son who came to earth to die for a people He loves. That's you and me.  And He is the Returning King who IS coming back to judge the world of sin and to establish his kingdom forever. Do you know Him? Do you love Him? Have you given your life up to Him so that you don't have to pay the price of an eternity in Hell without Him?  

Heaven awaits for those who love Him and lay down their desires and their agendas in order to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. He paid the penalty for OUR sin on our behalf. The long list of what God sees as sin is long- and we've all done so many things we know we should not have done. You know those choices that dishonor us, others, and dishonor God? Yes, those.

This isn';t about who you are- It is about Who HE is! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God eternal. The One we will all answer to.

What do you say? Who is Jesus to you?

Easter Baskets and Candy Eggs

There's no need to sugarcoat it. All the malted milk ball eggs and chocolate candies in the basket can't hide the truth: Every human deserves the penalty of an eternity in Hell away from the God who created him. That's you, that's me. We all sin and fall short of God's glory. 

Even the very nicest person in the world who hasn't surrendered their life to Jesus has to pay that price for lying, cheating, stealing, or falling short of perfection. It doesn't matter if you call yourself Christian or follow any other religion or how you identify sexually. The penalty is the same. Death for eternity. Separation from God for eternity. Pain and suffering for eternity. But wait- there's hope!

For you and for me. 

Totally free- but it comes at a price- your life in exchange for His.

Yes, there's hope! In God's good plan, just for you and me and the whole earth - determined from the beginning of time- Jesus chose to lay down his life to redeem us from Hell. This sacrifice via the cross was just for you. It's a gift that cost him much pain and sorrow. "Good Friday"? It was good for us, but it was torturous for Jesus. Death was part of the path to Eternal Victory over it.

The only price is your total surrender to God. Not religion. Not hoping your good works are more than your evil actions. Not giving away all your money. 

If you receive this gift of eternal life by choosing and following Him, it's a gift back to Him that will bless him.  If you don't, prepare for your future as best you can. But God DOES love you, and He aches for you to come to Him.

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?"

Disney World's Easter Bunny and Beyond

Soft, fuzzy and very cute. The Easter Bunny is everything a little kid could want, bringing chocolate and small gifts to all who anxiously wait for his arrival. It's even more fun to see him at Disneyland or Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It's a great parade!

But do you want something far better? Look no further than the original Easter present, Jesus Christ. His only parade came days before he was killed. Instead of riding on a magnificent war horse, he came riding through town on a donkey- a symbol of humility and coming in peace. But make no mistake, Jesus is still the King of Kings!

The Son of God come in the flesh- the very one who will return to earth one day to establish his eternal kingdom. He’ll come to judge the living and the dead- but His gifts are better than chocolate. He alone gives eternal life, the best gift of all.

But who exactly is Jesus? Or more specifically, "Who is Jesus Christ to you?" This very question will be asked of all of us on earth one day. If you don't understand, read ahead and you'll discover the greatest love story ever told.

His death was brutal, but his blood had to be shed.

In 2023, today is special. It's called Good Friday for we who believe in Jesus and what He came on earth to accomplish. His crucifixion on the cross to pay for the sin of mankind is honored this day. But it's not the end of the story. That's what Easter is all about. Easter Sunday is the joyful celebration of His Resurrection from the dead back to life. 

Just think about this: The very measurement of time changed because of this event!

Jesus is controversial- and His story timeless. Magazines still devote cover stories to Him, books continue to be written, songs composed, and films made. Each piece brings to the forefront Jesus' own question to his disciple Peter, and again, it is one we all must answer: "Who do you say I am?" 

He was not a victim! Jesus was victorious over death and chose to die on our behalf.

Yes, it's true. Just for you and me and the whole earth - from the beginning of time. Jesus chose to lay down his life to redeem us from Hell. The Hell we deserve for our sin. Ever lie? Cheat? Slander? Hold hate in your heart- even hate for yourself? Then, his sacrifice via the cross was a gift just for you. It's a gift that cost him so much pain and sorrow. If you receive this gift of eternal life by choosing and following Him, it's not only a fresh start for you, it's also a gift back to Him. One that will bless him. Yes, it really is something very, very special.

Hung on the cross between two men who deserved to die. 

One chose to believe in Him. One didn't what will you choose?

God is very gracious and loving by making it crystal clear and easy to understand: Jesus Himself says He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life and that no one would be able to come to an eternity with God the Father except by receiving Him. (Read the Book of John in the New Testament, Chapter 14). God could have made it difficult to discover, but He did not. It's not from hate or prejudice, it's from love He said what He said and did what He did.

It was His same great love for the people He created- that includes you and me- that caused Him to sacrifice Jesus in our place. And it's His same love that draws you to Him. Can you feel the call to Him in your heart? Does your spirit leap at the sound of His name?

If not, it's time to ask yourself why. 

At the end of time, known as the Final Judgment in the Bible, (See the last book of the Bible. It's called "Revelation"), Jesus has returned to earth as the Triumphant King that He is. Mankind, one person at a time, must give an account for how they have lived their life. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and have lived to please Him all their days will proceed to an eternal glory free from pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, not all will believe. He gave men free will to choose. To those who have turned away from Jesus, rejected Him even though He was God's gift to pay for our sins, they will be sent to Hell, the place of fire and torment forever. Hell was designed for Satan and his demonic angels, but those that deny Jesus as Messiah (Christ) and follow their own path, end up in that place as well. It's their choice, not God's.

Jesus is not in his tomb.

It was truly a very Good Friday! His story is told to this day all over the world- and in spite of any opposition, it has never been able to be stopped.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (from the Bible's book to the church in Rome, chapter 5, verses 6-8)

So, Jesus' question remains: Who do you say that I am?

Jesus Conquers Death- and His Sacrifice Brings Us Life

There is hope eternal. Jesus conquered death by raising from the dead! And He alone can bring you life instead of brokenness. He is Risen indeed! Christians all over the world celebrate this historical fact. And He is returning one day to judge the world and redeem those who believe.

In the strangeness of the way God sometimes works, He offered up His Son- the very image of Himself- on the cross in order to pay for the sins of man. Jesus was sacrificed in our place. Yours and mine. We have all fallen short of God's glory, and only God Himself could pay the price on our behalf. 

Do you believe? If not, I suggest you read Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell. That is, if you are open minded to think it through and look at facts. Some have not done so and already determined what they believe. But the truth holds up as it always does. Jesus Christ died for the sins of every man, but only some will choose Him. He is offering you a fresh beginning and eternity lies before you. Will you choose Him?

They Didn't Kill the Easter Bunny

There's a reason the Easter Bunny thrives. People love him. He's soft, cuddly, and approachable. He brings colorful eggs filled with sweet treats and other little gifts, but he is not the reason for the holiday we'll celebrate at the dinner table this Sunday. Look deeper. I encourage you to do so. Go ahead.

In a world of confusion with everyone mad at everyone else, do you want the kind of love that will last forever? Look no further than to Jesus Christ. But who exactly is Jesus? That's the question we all must answer. Each of us. Believer or not, this question will be asked of us one day. If you don't understand, read ahead and you'll discover the greatest love story ever told.

Today is Good Friday for we who believe and so commemorate the passion of Jesus of Nazareth, meaning his crucifixion on the cross for the sin of mankind, both yours and mine. His bloody, broken body violently nailed to a wooden cross so he could die... all leading to His Resurrection- his greatest and most monumental accomplishment. 

Think about this: The very measurement of time changed because of this event!

Jesus is controversial- and His story timeless. Magazines still devote cover stories to Him, books continue to be written, songs composed, and films made. Each piece brings to the forefront Jesus' own question to his disciple Peter, and agin, it is one we all must answer: "Who do you say I am?"

Yes, it's true. Just for you and me and the whole earth - from the beginning of time. To accept being punished along criminals, Jesus chose to lay down his life to redeem us from Hell. The Hell we deserve for our sin. Ever lie? Cheat? Slander? Then, his sacrifice via the cross was just for you. It's a gift that cost him much pain and sorrow. But if you receive this gift of eternal life by choosing and following Him, it's a gift back to Him that will bless him. Yes, something very special. Much more special than chocolate eggs and sweet candies found in pastel colored grass.

God is very gracious and loving by making it crystal clear and easy to understand: Jesus Himself says He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life and that no one would be able to come to an eternity with God the Father except by receiving Him. (Read the Book of John in the New Testament, Chapter 14). God could have made it difficult to discover, but He did not. It's not from hate or prejudice, it's from love He said what He said and did what He did.

It was His same great love for the people He created- that includes you and me- that caused Him to sacrifice Jesus in our place. And it's His same love that draws you to Him. Can you feel the call to Him in your heart? Does your spirit leap at the sound of His name? If not, it's time to ask yourself why. 

First comes 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. (Read about the medical explanation of what this does to a body here.) 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.

At the end of time, known as the Final Judgment in the Bible, (See the last book of the Bible. It's called "Revelation"), Jesus has returned to earth as the Triumphant King that He is. Mankind, one person at a time, must give an account for how they have lived their life. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and have lived to please Him all their days will proceed to an eternal glory free from pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, not all will believe. He gave men free will to choose. To those who have turned away from Jesus, rejected Him even though He was God's gift to pay for our sins, they will be sent to Hell by their own choice. Hell, the place of fire and torment forever, was designed for Satan and his demonic angels, but those that deny Jesus as Messiah (Christ) and follow their own path, end up in that place as well. Again, it's their choice, not God's.

Whether you believe in the Easter Bunny or not doesn't matter at all. The real question- Jesus' question- remains: Who do you say that I am?