God's Spotless Lamb

Depending on your frame of reference or upbringing, oftentimes in church we celebrate the glory of the resurrection on Easter, but fail to recognize the importance of the preceding week. Some want to pass over the dull, bass drum throbbing beat - the somber sounds of death.

Last Sunday we looked at Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. What an unusual celebration! Wouldn’t it be amazing to step into a time machine and return to the first-century event the gospel writers described for us? The arrival of a king on the back of a donkey. The celebration of a selfish public looking forward to being victors over Rome, caring little about the spiritual life of this king. They wanted their stomachs filled, and their diseases healed. They wanted Him to take the throne; to overthrow those Romans, and put those uncircumcised Gentiles in their place. But there would be none of that.

You see, it’s easy to miss the fact that He didn’t come to live - He came to die. The life that He lived qualified Him for the death He died. The death He died qualifies us for the life we live.

It’s easy to think that this is like any other week, and it’s not. It’s easy to imagine that Jesus is like any other man, and He’s not. It’s easy to believe that all of this relates only to Jews, and it does not. It’s easy to put off responding to His offer of salvation, and that is the worst possible decision you could make.

Many people observe and examine Christianity, especially during this time of year, which is commendable – I highly recommend it. Additionally, many others have opinions about Jesus, including numerous religious individuals who claim to “love” Him. At some point, a decision must be made. Jesus was not just any man in the first century; He was the very Son of God, the Word made flesh, and He came to die and rise again for us!

Press On!

Pastor Brian Richard