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| Happy Easter! |
I was surfing the web looking at “Expensive Makeovers” and this is what I came across, “There are no ugly women, only those who can't afford an expensive makeover.” That struck me funny at first, but the reality of that, is not funny at all. People will pay whatever it takes to get a makeover.
People will go to extremes in attempt to change what they think needs changing.
How many of us have bought things to make our outward appearance better. Shake weights, sauna wraps, ab crunchers, and don’t forget those hair removal gadgets, that sit in a corner of the closet gathering dust.
I remember an individual coming up to me and showing me some really nice pictures. I glanced at them and complemented the person showing them to me and then made a fatal question. “Who is it?” Little did I know that it was them and that they had just had a photo shoot at “Glamour Shots”. I was so embarrassed, but honestly, the pictures looked so good that I didn’t recognize them as the person I was talking to.
I know that everyone has at least one area of their life that they would love to makeover. Maybe it’s an anger issue , a pet sin, a habit, or lack of patience. What do you want to makeover? What do you want to do over in your life?
Easter is all about makeovers. God took the worst possible situation – the death of His Son – turned it around, used it for good and changed the world. Easter changed history. Every time you write a date, the focal point is Jesus Christ. Every time you write A.D. or B.C. this event split history. It’s the most important event of history. More than that it is still changing individual lives like mine, like yours, today.
Read: Romans 5:6-11 and Luke 5:32
Recite: “If we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of His Son, now just think how our lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life!” (Romans 5:10 [Msg.]
Research:
v. 6 We were weak and helpless because we could do nothing on our own to save ourselves. Some one had to come and rescue us. Not only did Christ come at a good time in history; He came at exactly the right time - according to God’s own schedule. God controls all history, He controlled the timing, methods, and results of Jesus’ death.
v. 8 “While we were yet sinners” - these are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us., not because we were good enough, but because He loved us. Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you, remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him. If God loved you when you were a rebel, He can surely strengthen you, now that you love Him in return.
vv. 9 & 10 The love that caused Christ to die is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saves you and is available to you in your daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ, you have a reserve of power and love to call on each day, for help to meet every challenge or trial. You can pray for God’s power and love as you need it.
v. 11 God is holy, and He will not be associated with sin. All people are sinful and so they are separated from God. In addition, all sin deserves punishment. Instead of punishing us with the death we deserve, Christ took our sins upon Himself and took our punishment by dying on the cross. And He rose again on the third day. Now we can “rejoice in God.” Through faith in Christ’s work, we become close to God (reconciled) rather than being enemies and outcasts. That is what Easter is all about.
Reflect:
- What super-hero do you relate to or would like to be?
- Have you known someone who has donated an organ? Who? How did you feel about it?
- Who would you give an organ to, if needed? Why? Would you die for them?
- What does reconciliation mean. Why is it important?
- How does Easter/the resurrection connect to this passage?
Request:
- What incident in your life can you look back on and see the truth of v. 11?
Some excerpts from : “Life Application Bible”, NIV, Zondervan
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