We are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ- the greatest event in history! It's amazing that this weekend with literally millions and millions of other Jesus followers and hundreds of thousands of churches all over the globe, we gather together to celebrate the greatest event in the history of the world; not just Christian history- of all history! Without this ‘event’ this world would be a hopeless, dark place. We often think it is bad now—but without Jesus, without His Holy Spirit and His prevenient grace- it would be so much worse!!!
What is one of the big questions in life? It is: what does it take to be made right with God? How are you made right with God? It’s probably no secret; I am a follower of Jesus. What’s really interesting to me is that in the world today, you can talk about spiritual things all day long and it’s really not controversial. You can say you have a higher power, higher being, God, spirituality, and it’s not controversial. But when you bring up the name of Jesus, all of a sudden, it gets really controversial which is interesting because hardly anybody debates the existence of Jesus. There’s almost no one, no rational-thinking person that is going to say, “There was no historical figure named Jesus. People accept generally that yes, someone named Jesus lived. What’s also interesting to me is that people don’t really dislike His teaching. After all he taught people to love and was an example by helping the poor, loving those that others overlook, and forgiving people. People don’t debate the teachings of Jesus, and they don’t debate the existence of Jesus.
Som why is it that everybody gets all out of shape about Jesus? I believe it’s probably because of the exclusive claim of Jesus. Jesus didn’t sugar coat his life and what it would take to be His followers. We live in a very inclusive world, that includes the thinking that all beliefs should be treated equally, that nobody should be left out, that all roads should lead God. Jesus told His followers and anyone who desires to know that He is the only way to God- to heaven. It’s the exclusive claim of Jesus. In fact, in John 14:6, this is exactly what Jesus said when Thomas asked Him: “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father “Except through Me.” In this very inclusive world of religious pluralism, Jesus makes an exclusive claim that He is the only way. Instead of other people and other religions- I want you to consider Jesus and His claims. Consider Jesus within three aspects of His life.
1. Consider the ministry of Jesus. Consider who He came for and how He treated them. In Mark 2:16-17, the passage essentially tells us why Jesus came. Jesus came to call sinners! I love this with all of my heart. Jesus did not come for those who have it all together. Jesus came for people like me who need help, and need grace, and need mercy. Jesus actually came for those that religion rejected. Jesus loved those that everyone else despised. He welcomed those people that others would turn away. Jesus didn’t come for those who are perfect. Jesus came for all people.
2. Consider the resurrection of Jesus. Why does the resurrection matter? Jesus lived the perfect life for us. On the cross, he became sin for us. He suffered a horrible death for humankind. While the creation was mocking the Creator; as they spit on Him, hurled insults at Him, and beat Him beyond recognition, on the cross Jesus looked up to heaven and cried out, “Father, please forgive them for they don’t even know what they’re doing.” That’s GRACE!
Then, Jesus cries out the victorious cry, “It is finished. Into your hands, I commit my spirit,” and He breathes His last and gave His life. The moment He did, the earth went dark. The ground trembled. The Roman centurion who was not a follower of Jesus but saw His love, saw His heart, saw His mercy, saw who He was looked on and said, “I didn’t believe before, but I believe now. Surely, that man was no ordinary man. Surely, that man was the Son of God.” Next Jesus was laid in a tomb and just as He had predicted, “I will give my life and three days later, I’ll rise from the dead.”
Three days later, the women went to the tomb where he was buried. The stone was rolled away, and He was not there. He was risen from the dead. (just like He said.)
Because of Jesus’ resurrection- the church was born; Acts 2 records more than 3000 people were saved in one day! 2000 years later there are 2.6 billion people that identify as Jesus followers that placed their faith in the empty tomb. He is not there. He is risen from the dead. Consider Jesus. Consider his ministry. Consider the resurrection.
3. Consider the eternal message of Jesus. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Notice what it doesn’t say? It doesn’t say we’re made right with God by being good enough, by not being bad, by not saying bad words in anger, by not yelling at our kids in the car, by not getting in a fight with our spouse and our kids on the way to church! We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. This is true for you if you believe. It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t matter how bad you’ve been. It doesn’t matter how bad your life is messed up right now. It doesn’t matter how many people you’ve hurt. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve sinned. You’re not made right with God by you being good enough. You’re made right with God because Jesus was perfect, and He took the penalty, and paid the price for your sins.
It’s the difference between religion and relationship. Don’t miss it, Jesus did not come to start a religion. Jesus came to offer us eternal life. Jesus came to show us the love of God.
This Easter, consider the claims of Christ. And once you do, the only reasonable response will be: Jesus, I believe. I admit I am a sinner and am separated from God. I believe that Jesus came to bridge that gap between me and God, and I accept the gift of salvation- and I commit to follow Jesus from this day forward! Consider Jesus this EASTER!
