I was reminded of an old Easter song this week, “He’s Alive.” I was particularly struck by the following line, “He’s alive and I’m forgiven, Heaven’s gates are open wide!” Somehow it sums up everything that I celebrate on Easter – Jesus’ victory over death, the miracle of His resurrection, the fact that Jesus Christ LIVES. I also weep with gratitude over what His death and resurrection accomplished: the means for humanity’s reconciliation to God…our forgiveness. In light of this Gift above all other gifts, here is an article that Martha wrote on the debt we owe but cannot pay—and will never have to now. May it bless you all as powerfully as it has blessed me. A glorious Easter to you all!
Jennifer
Jesus Paid It All
There is a lovely song…written by one who knew the scope of forgiveness…
“Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe.”
The price He paid to secure my legal freedom, my total forgiveness! Only in wrenching repentance from God’s Light can I comprehend even a miniscule speck of it.
The thorns that punctured His scalp, dug into His skull and shredded His hair…covered the arrogant sins of thinking, the independence of my opinions and the cruelty of my judgments. The lashes that ripped pieces of flesh and muscle from His bones, earned the healings for what my sins have done to sicken and disturb my body.
The beatings He didn’t deserve should have been mine. He took the punishment I never have to suffer.
From head to foot His blood gushed out of a thousand wounds and tears. Cuts and holes from nails, a crude spear driven into His very heart. All…all He suffered so I could be forgiven, and even called “innocent.” Such a price shows such a sinner.
THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL
The heart of the gospel is the bloody cross of total forgiveness.
Until I understand this for ‘me’ – for those in my sphere…for others…and then for ALL people – I do not yet possess the power of the gospel, nor do I comprehend the heart of the Father-God as proven by His Sacrifice of the Lamb-Son.
Unconditional forgiveness, needing no confession to make it true…but awaiting my confession to make it mine.
Copyright © 2001 Martha Blaney Kilpatrick
Some years ago, while watching this unbearable movie “The Passion of the Christ”, I somewhat hoped the director might have just chosen “the worst case scenario”. But reading Jewish-Messianic comments on, for example, the flagellation, the author said it was exactly like that. The long laces the Romans used wound around the whole body and tore everything to pieces, including the face. ” His face and His whole appearance were marred more than any man’s, and His form beyond that of the son’s of men…”(Is:52:14, AMP) And at some point of this movie I understood with haunting clarity, that it… Read more »
HE IS SO ALIVE!