The Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ are our cornerstones and our sure foundations of our life, faith, belief, and truth—all in Jesus Christ. It’s our beginning and our end, it’s our Alpha and Omega, it’s the focal point of all scripture. All that came before us pointed to the cross and all that followed looks back to the cross. All of Scripture leads up to this essential moment in the history of humanity. Dear friends, this cross is not just a symbol or an icon; however, it’s our true reality of life, liberty, and the pursuit of living hope here on this side of eternity and on the other side to come.
This cross represents something so deep, so real, and so influential in our lives that we just can’t skirt around it or just read about once a year. This cross carries and represents the ultimate sacrifice of all time. It’s where God’s greatest sacrifice, His Son, Jesus Christ became “The Sacrifice.” This cross is the place where God sent His Son to die so we can have life. The greatest event that ever took place in all of history was on this cross at Calvary. No other event could ever compare, could ever come close, or could ever replicate it! This cross altered our future for each one of us for those who believe and place our faith in the ever Faithful One. This cross carried The One who suffered for all our sins and the sins of the world. This cross made the way for us to stand in the presence of the Father, the One True God, and to live with Him forever and ever.
Through this cross and the suffering of Jesus Christ, He became the greatest gift of all: our salvation, our deliverance, our eternal life with the True Messiah to live out our life with Him throughout eternity in Heaven. This cross was one of the greatest “rescue missions” of all times. God’s saving power in full was revealed and uncovered at this cross. Oh, the power of this cross goes beyond our human comprehension and understanding and the only one who can reveal the richest and deepest significance and importance of this cross is our Friend, our Truth Giver, the Sweet Holy Spirit.
“…that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”
(Ephesians 1:18b)
This cross reveals the true nature and character of God’s love and heart for YOU and ME. Many of us pray for more of God’s love, more of His ways and heart and to know more about who He is in our lives. I encourage you, dear ones, study this cross during Passion Week, and you’ll understand the depths of what God the Father did for us by giving us His only begotten son—Jesus. Growing in Him and in His ways is to understand the intensity and potency of this cross. Oh, the depth of His love for YOU and for ME is so far and wide, so great and so grand and so glorious and wondrous.
At the Cross I bow my knees, where your blood was shed for me, there’s no greater love than this, at the cross.
(At the Cross, by Hillsong)
the joy that was set before him (Jesus) endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
(1 Peter 2:25)There was a GREAT EXCHANGE that took place so that we can be . . . Born Again to a Living Hope!
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
Praise God from whom all blesses flow, Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Because He lives, WE can face tomorrow, because He lives, ALL fear is gone, because we know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives!!
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has given us this glorious power to this new life of living hope in which we can live in NOW on this side of eternity and to live with Him for ALL eternity to come. Through His resurrection we are made alive in Him to live out ALL of His promises here on earth, to have certainty that all of His promises are activated and generated through this glorious resurrection power.
Dear friends, we sit with Him in the heavenly places… and God raised us up with Christ seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus . . . Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)
We are, also, born anew, our sins are washed away, positional seated in Christ, and given a new spirit to live out this life He desired and designed for each of us. We are redeemed, bought back, and freed from the consequences of sin by ransom. Jesus paid all our debt.
By the power of His love and resurrection, our ashes are turned into glory, our deserts into flourishing gardens, and our weaknesses turned into strengths. What glorious good news as His sons and daughters to have this new life in Him day by day.
“Even so consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11 (NAS)
This week as we enter Passion Week, I pray that you will have a new depth and understanding of “This Cross and to This Resurrection” and it will release greater enlargement and territory in your walk, your faith, and love for our Lover of our Soul.
Keep posted for some more new and improved blessings. A little teaser and quick peek into the new: my mom’s book will soon be published. Mark Sandford just finished editing her book and now we will take it to the publishers. Very exciting, and we could use your prayers!
Your financial gift, at this special time of year, will enable us to keep moving forward in all that the Holy Spirit has for us as leaders of FHM and for those the Lord brings to us for ministry through His power. We cannot do this on our own. Join with us at this new launch and in this season of Resurrection Power with whatever the Lord lays on your heart to give.
No gift is too small or inconsequential. You can go online to www.freedomhouseministry.com and choose “Make a Donation” to give through PayPal or use your credit card. OR You can send a check payable to Freedom House Ministries to FHM, 3217 Scoville Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402-3546. Thank you so much for your gift and partnership. It means so much, especially at this time of giving and sacrifice and life.
Happy Easter to you and your loved ones!
by Mari Anne Andersen