Easter Eggs: Payment

by Whitney Jones

You know, when you really think about it, God could have wiped us out and started over when sin entered the world. Instead, he sent Jesus to die for us, to show us in action how much he loves us. Jesus died to save us from our sins. He was human, but he was also God. On the third day, he rose again. Jesus has power over death. He has the power to forgive our sins and give us a new life.

Over 700 years before Jesus was even born, Isaiah prophesied that there would be a Man who would be slain as a Lamb, and his wounds would heal all our sin.

Isaiah 53:5, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.’ The sins that should have crushed us under the weight of guilt were transferred to Christ. This is the glory of grace, and it could only come by suffering,”

How could a person from the Old Testament understand the idea of Christ dying for our sins and actually bearing the punishment that we deserve? It is one thing to kill a lamb, and something different to think of God’s chosen servant as that Lamb. But God used a person like Isiah to let the people look ahead to the suffering of the Messiah and the resulting forgiveness made available to all people.

1 Peter 2:21-22 “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threatened revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

We may suffer for many reasons. Some suffering is the direct result of our own sin; some happens because of our foolishness; some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter is writing about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Christ never sinned, and yet he suffered so that we could be set free.

Jesus’ suffering was part of God’s plan and was intended to save us. In Matthew 16:21, “From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.” All who follow Jesus must be prepared to suffer.

It says in Mark 8:34-35, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Our goal should be to face suffering as he did- with patience, calmness, and confidence that God is in control of the future.

Christ died for our sins, in our place, so we would not have to suffer the punishment we deserve.

I challenge you to take some time to read the Easter story, with your kids and by yourself. Meditate on the story, and give glory to God that we have a Savior who loved us enough to die for us!