As I recall from my studies, Easter is actually everything about the rabbit and the eggs; none of it good, or for children. What began as idolatry and human sacrifice has been watered down over time to colored eggs and chocolate. JESUS has nothing to do with Easter!
The calendar we follow is one set up by the Romans. We should be following the one set up by GOD. Good Friday is not really good; JESUS did not die on Friday; HE died on Thursday. Because it was Passover, the Sabbath began on Thursday night and not Friday. JESUS was in the grave for three days. It was on the third day, that GOD rolled the stone away and JESUS walked out of the grave and into the garden.
It is a much different sacrifice from the spring celebration of new life, which worshiped the goddess Ester. JESUS died for us, so we wouldn’t have to die in our sins.
It is not our blood that brings new life: it is CHRIST’S blood which gives new life. His blood is applied to our sins, not just to cover them up, but to wash them away permanently. Permanently! GOD not only forgives sin, HE forgets sin. Imagine being able to forgive and forget when someone sins against you!
We read in Isaiah 53 about THE MESSIAH: (1)Who has believed our report? And to whom is THE ARM OF THE LORD revealed? (2) For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, And as a root out of a dry ground: He has no form nor comeliness; And when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire HIM. (3) HE is despised and rejected of men; A MAN OF SORROWS, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. (4) Surely HE has borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem HIM stricken, Smitten of GOD, and afflicted. (5) But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; And with HIS stripes we are healed.
That’s my JESUS. By HIS stripes I am healed. My sins are washed away by the blood of GOD’S LAMB. Every time that cat-o-nine tore through HIS back, ripping away not just the epidermis but into the muscles and bone, HE took it: for me, for you. When they crowned HIM with thorns, it was not just set atop HIS brow, but pushed into HIS head so harshly that blood flowed. The Roman soldiers threw a robe around HIS bleeding body, and pretended to worship HIM as their king, then ripped it off, causing the wounds on HIS back to flow even more profusely.
(6) All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And THE LORD has laid on HIM the iniquity of us all. (7) HE was oppressed, and HE was afflicted, Yet HE opened not HIS mouth: HE is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So HE opens not HIS mouth. (8) HE was taken from prison and judgment: And who shall declare HIS generation? For HE was cut off from the land of the living: For the transgression of my people was HE stricken. (9) And HE made HIS grave with the wicked, And with the rich in HIS death; Because HE had done no violence, Neither was there any guile in HIS mouth.
That’s my JESUS. HE did not defend HIMSELF. HE never sinned in any form, yet HE died a sinner’s death. HE was brought up on false charges and declared guilty by mob rule. The crowd gathered to see HIM die, cried out “HIS blood be upon us and upon our children!” ( Matthew 27:25). And so it is. HIS blood is on me. And on some of you. Would that HIS blood was on all of us, and not just some of us.
But to get the blood applied, a person must first acknowledge their sins. Repent (turn away from) of their sins and ask forgiveness from GOD for their sins. A person must believe wholeheartedly that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD and that HE is GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that HE died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is coming back again. For GOD’S WORD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. All of it.
John 3:16, a most beloved verse around the world: For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes on HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I have everlasting life because I believe. I want you to have this everlasting life, too. But I can’t force you to make this choice, because it is just that: a choice. We are each born with the ability to choose and make decisions that affect our lives. This choice regarding salvation through JESUS CHRIST will determine not only how we live our life, but where we will go when this part of life is passed. I would not have you ignorant on the matter. Your blood is not on my hands now. Had I not told you about my JESUS, I would have been held guilty for you dying in your sins. I love you and I want to take you to heaven with me.
That’s my JESUS and I’m sticking to HIM.
