Millions of Christians around the world are worshiping their Lord with particular passion this weekend. The world with its Easter bunnies thinks we are strange. Stupid, in fact—how could the death of a poor carpenter 2,000 years ago give joy and purpose to our lives today while securing an eternity for us in heaven?
To the world, the nicest thing to be said about Christ on the cross is that He was a very good man having a very bad day. But we who believe in Jesus understand what was happening on Good Friday: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting our trespasses against us” (2 Cor. 5:19).
Like many of you, this weekend I’m reading again the Gospel account of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Each time something new seems to pop into focus, doesn’t it? I’m captured by the irony of a taunt from Christ’s enemies as He hung on the cross (Luke 23:35): “… The rulers scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!’”
“He saved others?” He sure did! He saved me!
Overwhelmed with a fresh grasp of Christ’s loving sacrifice, I found myself laughing and crying at the same time. This unanticipated emotion was a little too intense for my laconic cat resting on my lap. She jumped off and took refuge on top of the couch. From that safe vantage point she stared at me as if I’m out of my mind.
That’s OK, cat. Paul the apostle confessed that “we are fools for Christ’s sake” (1 Cor. 4:10). But the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Glory to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! (If that’s not the purpose of your life, take heart—He can save you too!)
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