good friday.

I haven't blogged in a while; you can call me lazy. I'd like to call myself busy. With all the wedding's coming up and helping out with the big day(s), I haven't had a lot of time to just sit and think and write. Until today. My company is closed today and for that, I am very thankful. What a wonderful day to sit and spend time with the Lord and reflect on what today is really all about.

Easter always really gets me thinking about Jesus on the cross and how those few days impacted humanity more than any other single event in history. Ever. I've never seen the Passion of the Christ [I probably never will], because just the idea of watching a Hollywood production of what Christ did and how much he suffered makes me cringe. Not in a way that makes me ashamed of Mel Gibson for thinking he could accurately capture those days; but in a way that I know the reality of what really happened is far more horrific and painful than anything that can be presented on the big screen.

I've been reading through Matthew and Jesus praying in Gethsemane and then being nailed to the cross....the events that happened....and I think "Why would you do that for me?" It is humbling. God's mercy extends more than I'll ever understand. The power of the cross and what Jesus' blood did is almost overwhelming. Here are just 5 things we have because of Him:

1. We have redemption: "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." 1 Peter 1:18-19

2. We have forgiveness: "In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of his trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." Eph 1:7-8

3. We are justified: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have no been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God." Romans 5:8-9

4. We have reconciliation: "For in Him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on Earth or in Heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. And you, who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you Holy and blemless and above reproach before Him." Col 1:19-22

5. We are sanctified: "So Jesus also suffereed outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood." Heb 13:12


HAPPY EASTER!