Thursday, April 17, 2014

Talk Tuesday-Easter Edition: The Call Of The CROSS

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday approach, let us meditate on the significance of the CROSS and the meaning of the BLOOD that was shed on Calvary's hill. What Jesus did was no easy thing. Jesus Christ, the Incarnate One, came to earth in full humanity. This means that while He was fully GOD, He was fully man.

This Easter read the following chapters: Genesis 1-3, Leviticus 16, Matthew 26-28 (or Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24 or John 18-21) and Revelation 5. You will find a brief chronological history of the Easter story. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's sin brought the curse of death and ruptured our relationship with God. The imago Dei or image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) with which we were created became defaced yet never effaced-it remained, albeit in a marred state by the act of our sin. What happened in Eden was The Fall of mankind. Yet, this did not change who God Is. God is Love (1 John 4:8). God is Holy (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16). God is Just (Psalm 89:14). God is Merciful and God is Gracious (Psalm 103:8). All of these characteristics of God are displayed on the CROSS where His Only Begotten Son was crucified on our behalf. The declaration, 'It is finished,' John 19:30, are words of Victory that proclaim our freedom, deliverance, acceptance, redemption, and the atonement of our sins. It heralds the restoration of our relationship with God. Why the CROSS? It is at that moment that Jesus bore the sins of all mankind in a final act of love, in an experience of dereliction. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul,” Leviticus 17:11. He TRIUMPHED over the CROSS. He ROSE again. He will RETURN!

 “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

In End, at the Eschaton, Jesus Christ will return. “5 Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' 6 And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'”  Revelation 21:5-6

“And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Come to the CROSS today and meet the One who died upon it just for you!

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