“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. John 3:16
The above is known as the golden verse of the Bible – an open invitation to all the people of the world to have faith in Jesus and receive the free gift of eternal life. Our heavenly Father’s gracious gift of love and forgiveness made manifest in Jesus Christ who was ‘obedient even unto death; the painful and humiliating death on the cross to the whole world but, to all who believe a symbol of love and sacrifice, of eternal life of forgiveness and reconciliation, of life abundant and mercy and grace.
Today the Saviour of the world sits at the right hand of God, interceding for all who will gratefully accept His gift of salvation.
Sin had broken the relationship between God and man, but the Creator God who is the God of deep and abiding love, wanted to bring back lost humanity and establish man’s relationship with Himself. The God of love, mercy and faithfulness sent His only Son into the sin-darkened world to take all our sins and shame and nail them to the cross to satisfy the demands of justice and righteousness and free us from the shackles of sin and restore to himself all of the fallen humanity. Every blemish-free drop of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on that dark and seemingly hopeless Friday has cleansed and redeemed mankind from all his sins – past, present and future. When God see us, He does not see our sins. Jesus’ death on the cross as a pure and spotless Lamb of God has given to us ‘the robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation’. Jesus paid in full for the sins of humanity. Is it any wonder then that we call the Friday “Good”!!
On that mournful Saturday, the day between His death, burial and His Resurrection, when the cross stands empty, the world waits with silent expectation but with confidence that Jesus had accomplished His mission.
Then the joy of the glorious Easter morning when Jesus arose from the dead, having defeated death itself. He had won the victory and we too can live victorious lives and reign with Him forevermore. Glory and honour, power and majesty to the triumphant king!! He lives and we will live with him in eternity.
The following lines from a well-known hymn encapsulate so perfectly the assurance of our victory in him. –
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds my future
And life is worth the living, because he lives.