Looking back at Resurrection Day
Welcome to Throwback Thursday with The REALLY Real Deal. Today, we are looking back at my Sunday Message for April 17, 2022 titled, “It’s Resurrection Day.”
In light of CHRISTmas season, I thought it would be fitting to discuss the resurrection of Jesus. For this is part of what He came for. He came to offer grace and abounding mercy to all who will accept Him! I also talk about the four fallen: Peter, Judas, and the two thieves.
The Four Fallen
Peter fell when he denied Jesus 3 times. Judas fell because he sold Jesus out to the Romans for money. The two thieves received the punishment that was common for their crimes. Yet, one was repentant, and one was not. Each of the 4 fallen were sinners. They all broke the heart of God.
But the beauty of their sin was this: they were all in need of grace.
Jesus offered that grace to the thieves on the cross. Even when they joined in with the crowd to mock Him. When only the one thief was truly repentant, Jesus told him that he would be with Him in Paradise.
He offered that grace to Judas and Peter during their walk with Him. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, and yet, this knowledge did not stop Him from unconditionally loving Judas. Jesus’ knowledge that Peter would deny Him did not stop the selflessness of Jesus on that cross.
In fact, it proved it. He could have easily backed out of that horrendous death. After all, He is the King of Light, and Life. He could have easily denied them His salvation because of their sin.
But He didn’t. He held fast to His promise of redemption through His blood. Jesus never once stopped loving them through all of their sin, and through all of His suffering.
Hebrews 9:14, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
In His death and resurrection, we now have the ability to be forgiven of sins. In 1 John 1:9, He says that He will cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
But not without repentance.
Forgiveness of Sins
2 Peter 3:9 says that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
If we confess our sins to Him, He forgives us. He is faithful to fulfill all of His promises.
That means that “There is therefore now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).
Psalm 40:2 says, “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.”
So in conclusion, Jesus’ sacrifice of selfless love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
That same grace can be extended to you! There is always the free gift of eternal life. “For all who seek Him, will find him, if you seek Him with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Will you seek Him with all of your heart?
God Bless y’all!
