March 2009

Dear Church Family,

            I saw a commercial for Wal-mart just the other day. It was for chocolate Easter candy (the low price of chocolate caught my eye!). But it was the final wording that caused me to pause - “Easter is cheaper at Wal-mart”. A cheaper Easter? Yes, this is America! We can “pay less” for Jesus on the cross! What a thought! Cheap grace…Amazing grace how cheap the price…it saved some cash for me! 

            With Easter only a few days away, I’ve been reading, thinking and praying more about the death of our Savior and what it really cost Him to save us. And what was that?  It cost Him absolute faith in His Father. In the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Many times Jesus had come to the garden to pray. He had come time after time in the presence of His Father, but this night was different. He felt cut off from the Father’s presence. He was now numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of the world was on Him. He was tempted to fear that He was cut off forever. 

            The problem lay not with the Father. It lay not with Jesus Himself, but with the weight of the sins of our world. How hopeless this world appeared. Even His own people had rejected Him. The sense of God’s justice was crushing out His life. In that garden, Jesus felt alone. His disciples were asleep. Satan was attacking on all sides. And yet, after three times of praying for the cup of suffering to pass, Jesus held on to the love of God. And in this He was strengthened.

            Easter is not cheap. It cost Christ everything. But He believed we were worth it!  He was willing to pay whatever price was needed for our salvation. And He did!  Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

            This month, spend some time (not money) and look again through the Gospels at the life and death of Jesus. Spend a thoughtful hour contemplating what He has done for you there at the Cross. It will change your life and your witness to those around you.

            Have a great month! And remember, His gift of eternal life is free…but not cheap.

 

In His Matchless Love,

 

Pastor Tim