Soon Easter arrives! As this time of celebration approaches, a deep sadness hovers over me. Yet, greater than that sadness is an incredible excitement filled with hope that consumes my spirit.

I weep because of the pain I caused Jesus, the Messiah. It was my sin that sent Him to the cross. His blood spilled for me, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. He paid my sin debt in full and blotted out each one of them. God remembers my sin no more and separates them as far as the east is from the west. Praise God for His mercy and faithfulness!

Even though my unrighteousness was Christ’s motive to hang on the cross and die to offer a way for restoration in fellowship with the Father, it is His resurrection that renews  and restores me inside and out. Permeating through that guilt of His death because of me, is the joy that Christ arose and lives to intercede for me before the throne of His Father. I am fully forgiven as His sacrifice paid the debt in full and through His resurrection, I see that His Father accepted His Son’s sacrifice completely!  It is Christ’s resurrection that distinguishes Christianity from all other faiths. The perfect, sinless Lamb of God fulfilled the required sacrifice to allow a way for people to have fellowship with a Holy God across the chasm of sin.

Christ’s Holy Spirit consoles me as He dwells within me and guides me daily to walk in Christ’s ways. He molds me more and more into the likeness of Jesus as He helps me comprehend and apply God’s Word through daily meditation of prayer and reading the Bible. Knowing that I am a vessel that Christ uses daily to carry out His will and purposes on earth inspires and humbles me. Why would He use a failure and sinner like me?

Yet, He makes me fit for my Master’s use, a vessel to bring Him honor and glory. Man’s primary purpose for life is to glorify God, the Bible teaches. God works through weak people to accomplish His will because His strength is sufficient. He calls me His ambassador. In this honored position, I serve to reconcile others to Himself. I can think of no higher office than to serve Him in this way. 

The world is in darkness, yet Christ is the Light of the World. He stands as a Lighthouse, drawing people toward Himself through the storms of life to safety. May I be a beacon of light and hope to encourage and persuade people to follow the Light of Christ.