BIBLE PASSAGE:
…and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the
kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed
us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be
a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to
him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
(Revelation 1:5-6)
MEDITATION:
The world has tried to remove Jesus from the meaning of Easter.
In many cases it has successfully convinced people that Easter is
a time to dress up and go to church. There are some who are CEO
Christians, who attend church on Christmas and Easter Only. It
has also lured children into believing it is a time for finding hidden
eggs and buying baby chickens, or bunnies.
However, Easter is a time to remember what Jesus did for all of
mankind. Blood is mentioned 460 times in the Bible. Fourteen
times in the New Testament Jesus spoke of His own blood. Why?
Because by the shedding of His blood, He created the opportunity
for our salvation.
He paid the penalty for our sin and redeemed us. The penalty
for our sin and rebellion is death; but Jesus stepped out and
said, “I’ll take that death.” He voluntarily laid down His life
and took the penalty we deserve.
That’s what the cross is all about, and that is why we are thankful
and praise Jesus. If another human saved us from death, but died
in the process, we would be eternally grateful and tell many others,
many times, what he or she did for us. Yet, how many remain silent
about what Jesus did for them?
The blood of Jesus Christ not only redeems us, it justifies us. Being
justified means more than being forgiven, it means being declared,
or made righteous in the sight of God. Anyone can say, “I forgive you”,
but no person can justify us, except Jesus.
When we are justified, God not only forgives the past, but He also
clothes us in righteousness, as though we had never committed a
sin. For this to happen, it cost the blood of His Son on the cross.
This shows the magnitude of the love of God and Jesus for mankind!
When we have been justified, our life is changed and we have a desire
to serve God, our Heavenly Father. We also become “priests” who
participate in telling others about Jesus, and the salvation He made
available through His death on the cross.
ACTION:
Have you been saved and justified as a result of what Jesus did for you?
If so, how has it changed your life? Do you have a desire to serve God
in some capacity? Do you look forward to praising Jesus, and meeting
with other believers to worship Him, and learn more about Him and
your Heavenly Father?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love for me! Thank
You for providing a way for me to be justified! As a ‘priest’,
show me how I can serve You. Lord Jesus, with a deeply
grateful heart, I thank You for Your sacrifice upon the
cross. Your blood has cleansed my sin and made me worthy
of forgiveness. Create in me a desire to tell others what You
did for me, and a longing to meet with other ‘priests’ to
worship and praise You! My testimony begins with unashamedly
telling others that You died on the cross, so that I could be saved
and justified before our Heavenly Father.”
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