It is personal!

Image credit: Neal E. Johnson

For those of you who don’t know , this week is Holy Week!

And we are getting closer to the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wow!

There was a time when I could not emotionally connect with the atonement of Jesus for our lives.... for my life.I was numb when people use to talk about it. I didn’t understand how important and breathtaking this moment was in history .

To be honest , it seemed like a foolish act to willingly die for people who were full of sin and selfishness .

But as I walked through life , I started to see how personal Jesus’ sacrifice was for me. How my sin and turmoil was the cause to his pain and suffering, how he intentionally considered me and the freedom he knew I needed . He took it all upon himself so I didn’t have to . I couldn’t bear the weight even if I tried but , Jesus could and he did. He carried the heaviness of my sin.

If my sin was the only sin he took upon his own shoulders it was still heavy, massive , and dirty . So take my sin and multiply that times every person in this world , those who have passed away , and those who are to be birth in this earth, Jesus carried it all. Can you imagine the weight of that ? I couldn’t . It’s no wonder he cried tears of blood asking God to take the bitter cup away from him. (Luke 22:42-44 NLT). He was suffering something none of us would ever know but he did it for us (say out loud , he did it for me) .

At that moment , Jesus experienced something he never experienced before and that was sin creating a distance between him and his Father. Can you imagine the heart break that must have been happening inside of Jesus .

Jesus and the Father (God) are one and Jesus often took time to be with God in solitude , so for him to be in a place where his Father felt distant must have caused shambles in his mind and heart but even then Jesus mustered the faith to say this to God, “Not my will , but your will.” (Luke 22:42 NLT). And Jesus got up from his prayer place and journeyed on to the events that would ultimately lead to his death.

He knew he would be betrayed , abandoned by everyone who said they would be there for him, and left standing amongst a people who have already sealed judgment against him in their hearts (Matthew 26:14-75). He was innocent yet he took upon our guilt and sin and took brutal beatings and mistreatment so we didn’t have to .... So I didn’t have to. Let that sink in.

You’re free today due to a price you didn’t have to pay. Jesus paid the debt in full for us.... For me. After he endured all that his body could, and at the right moment, he bowed his head and said “It is finished” (Matthew 27:45-54; John 19:28-30 ESV) . He died on that cross. But! Hallelujah he got up on the third day from his grave and resurrected with all power in his hands so that you and I can see the finished work , the victory, and the prophecies fulfilled (Matthew 28 ESV)

The beautiful thing is God/Jesus never stopped being intentional about you. Even in this very moment he is speaking to you, seeking you out , pouring out his love and protection over you, so that you may have eternal life and even greater than that , so you can have a real , intimate and personal relationship with HIM! Jesus is waiting with open arms for you. He has patiently waited for you.

God says he loves you and that will never change, but he doesn’t want to leave you to your own demise. Will you receive his love today? Will you walk hand in hand with Jesus into a life of abundance, a life of joy, a life or peace , a life of where you’re covered and protected by him. Come out of darkness into his precious light . Let him remove the scales from your eyes. Come into wholeness and healing in Jesus . Life won’t be easy but you will be walking with an undefeated champion (Jesus) who will fight your battles for you! He will always help you come out of the other side of what you’re facing as victorious.

If you want to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior say this prayer , “Lord, I know that I have sinned against you. I know you have offered your life for mine and I want to give you back what’s yours. I pray you receive my life into your hands as a new and changed creature in Jesus. I pray you forgive me for my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I pray you purify my heart and reset my speech that I may glorify you with my life . I pray that today I’m changed. I have heard your word and I believe it in my heart , so now I confess it out loud that you are Lord and Savior. I ask that you become my personal Lord and Savior and that you direct my footsteps to always follow you. I pray that when my knees get weak that you strengthen me . In moments where I don’t feel you near, remind me that you will never leave me nor forsake me . I trust you with my life and I will follow you all the days that you give me . Lord, Set me feet on solid ground and build my foundation upon you Jesus. Continue to lead me and guide me in the way of righteousness . Thank you for this new life ; I receive it by faith through your grace In Jesus mighty and precious name I pray amen .

If you are saved and need to re-dedicate your life to Jesus, you can also take that step by faith and ask God to realign your steps back to his heart !

God is indeed doing a new thing I pray we all take hold of it!

Read more about Holy Week at Crosswalk: https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/easter/when-is-holy-week.html