The Price Has Been Paid
When the pandemic started little over two years ago, my husband told the
congregation that he had a dream of shortages of food and other vital necessities
like toilet paper. Well, the members began stocking their freezers, cabinets, and
extra spaces with goods. And sure enough, COVID-19 hit everything, and
shortages on every level began to happen. It had a huge impact on truck drivers
and meat packing companies, people were fighting over the last roll of toilet paper,
and prices began to creep up due to shortages of products. We also never expected
people to die from the disease at such an alarming rate.
Everything you need to live (such as food, shelter, clothing) you have to pay for
with cash or your debit or credit card. I have a beloved friend who paid the price
for all humanity and His name is JESUS. I always say, “Jesus paid the price He did
not owe, and all humanity owed the price that they could not pay!”
Jesus paid the ultimate price for all the sins of all humanity: the good ones, the bad
ones, and everyone in between. Before God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden,
He knew they would sin. God knew mankind needed a Redeemer because nothing
we do surprises God. We needed to be rescued from ourselves, we needed
someone to open the Path to Eternal Life, we needed Redemption (Salvation). We
needed to repent.
Repentance is asking Christ into your life and to forgive you of your sins. In the
New Testament the term “repent” signifies to have another mind, to change the
opinion or purpose with regard to sin. Repentance brings a spiritual and lifestyle
change and is implied in a sinner's return to conforming to God and His Word.
It was God’s love for all that caused Christ to die in our place so we could have a
right relationship with God if we choose to. "This is how much God loved the
world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need
be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God
did not go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger,
telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long
since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that
person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to
him.” (John 3:16-18 The Message Bible)
Jesus’ sacrifice opens the channel for direct communication with God and provides
freedom from the mental and physical chains of bondage. “Jesus replied, "I tell you
the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place
in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will
be free indeed.” (John 8:34-37 NIV)
This is why we celebrate Easter - to commemorate our Risen Savior. Jesus paid the
price once and for all on the cross when He accepted God’s judgement for every
sin. And He rose on the third day, proving that God accepted His payment, and
justifying all who accept His Gift of Eternal Life.
congregation that he had a dream of shortages of food and other vital necessities
like toilet paper. Well, the members began stocking their freezers, cabinets, and
extra spaces with goods. And sure enough, COVID-19 hit everything, and
shortages on every level began to happen. It had a huge impact on truck drivers
and meat packing companies, people were fighting over the last roll of toilet paper,
and prices began to creep up due to shortages of products. We also never expected
people to die from the disease at such an alarming rate.
Everything you need to live (such as food, shelter, clothing) you have to pay for
with cash or your debit or credit card. I have a beloved friend who paid the price
for all humanity and His name is JESUS. I always say, “Jesus paid the price He did
not owe, and all humanity owed the price that they could not pay!”
Jesus paid the ultimate price for all the sins of all humanity: the good ones, the bad
ones, and everyone in between. Before God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden,
He knew they would sin. God knew mankind needed a Redeemer because nothing
we do surprises God. We needed to be rescued from ourselves, we needed
someone to open the Path to Eternal Life, we needed Redemption (Salvation). We
needed to repent.
Repentance is asking Christ into your life and to forgive you of your sins. In the
New Testament the term “repent” signifies to have another mind, to change the
opinion or purpose with regard to sin. Repentance brings a spiritual and lifestyle
change and is implied in a sinner's return to conforming to God and His Word.
It was God’s love for all that caused Christ to die in our place so we could have a
right relationship with God if we choose to. "This is how much God loved the
world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need
be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God
did not go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger,
telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long
since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that
person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to
him.” (John 3:16-18 The Message Bible)
Jesus’ sacrifice opens the channel for direct communication with God and provides
freedom from the mental and physical chains of bondage. “Jesus replied, "I tell you
the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place
in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will
be free indeed.” (John 8:34-37 NIV)
This is why we celebrate Easter - to commemorate our Risen Savior. Jesus paid the
price once and for all on the cross when He accepted God’s judgement for every
sin. And He rose on the third day, proving that God accepted His payment, and
justifying all who accept His Gift of Eternal Life.