"It is finished."

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

A life for a life

Imagine you had millions of pounds worth of debt & even after borrowing from friends and family, selling all your possessions, starting a gofundme page, doing overtime at work, you find you still haven't scratched the surface.

Now out of nowhere, a stranger comes and takes your debt as his own.
He sells all he has and pays it all in full.

Just like that, you trade places and they've taken the full burden onto themselves.

You’re debt free, they’re indebted.

An unearned & undeserved exchange.

How would you respond to this selfless act?

This is an analogy of what happened on the cross when Jesus took our place, giving His life and paying our debt to sin.

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

2 Corinthians 5:15.

The Bible tells us that our response to this sacrifice should be a life lived for Him because he died for us. His violent action on the cross, provoking our violent reaction.  A life for a life.

Life through death

Jesus told us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” John 12:24.

Over 2,000 years later, the fruit of Jesus’ death continues to be displayed across the world, with Christianity being the most followed religion and the message of the cross transforming lives wherever it is spread.

Truly following Jesus requires us to die to ourselves, that is, to our own selfish desires and ambition. If we let ourselves be buried and die (like the wheat), we are promised an abundance of fruit.

In dying to ourselves, we choose life.

“ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, I encourage you to remember the real meaning behind the holiday: the message of the cross.

Thank you Jesus, for your perfect sacrifice and Happy Easter to all who are celebrating!