(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, loisayuba420@gmail.com, 20th April, 2025)
This devotional exposition begins with some texts from Scripture and will end with another from it. This is because, the message of the cross is a controversy depending on which side one is looking at it. Humans are as saved or destroyed as the amount of correct information available to them with the context of faith as a divine enterprise.
In Romans 4:25 the Scripture says, 'He was delivered over to death (on the cross) for our justification': 1Corinthians 1:18-31 reads: "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"; while 2 Timothy 2:11-13, goes: "Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." These texts collectively mean that, the benefit anyone derives from the message of the Cross depends on how it is understood and received!
What Easter represents to me is that, Christ died on the cross of calvary for my sake, your sake and our sake. He went through the agony of rejection, betrayal, death and uncertainty of grave but overcame that i may be victorious too. He demonstrated his power over pain, death, grave and, above all, restores hope to mankind who, through sin, was due for eternal condemnation. He conquered fear, and enthrone freedom for man through the mystery of His death, and resurrection!
Easter, therefore, is about love, hope and redemption. The Bible in John 3:16 says: 'For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.' The entire message of the cross starts and ends with this generous and all inclusive love offer to mankind!
At Easter, Christ died and resurrected. If Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile; we would have still be in sins (1Corinthians 15:17- NIV). In his resurrection, hope is birthed hence the assertion: Christ in us the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:27)
The redemption that came through Christ is full measured. The devil came to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came to restore and give life more abundantly!
The benefit that comes with the gift of Jesus Christ is holistic. In 2 Peter 1: 3 - 4, the scripture says: God, in his divine power, has given us all that we need for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: He has give us exceedingly great and precious promises: That by these holistic provisions, we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world!
The death and resurrection of christ was, indeed, a mystery onto the salvation of mankind but his antagonists did not know. Hear this: "None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1Corinthians 2:8). To them, an enemy, a bad competitor in power play was eliminated, but little did they know that by killing him, they have promoted him into the saviour he was destined to be. Hallelujah!
The moral lesson here is that, never plot evil against anyone because you may end up promoting your perceived enemy to position of prominence and relevance. Those who plot to bring others down shall not see the top. The story of Haman, a high ranking Government Official, who plotted evil against Jews, in the book of Esther Chapter 3-7, added substance to this profound lesson. If they do, their rise will be short-lived in time. Only love which Easter, practically, represents blesses!
In His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ became the proverbial phoenix. From the ashes of His death, he resurrected and, ushered mankind into life imperishable. In other words His sacrifice is the seed and and secret of eternal regeneration for human, particularly, those who believe Christ as Lord and Saviour!
How many hymn shall we sing today for this great redemption buffet? Please join me in this worship session:
A. Rugged Cross: On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
2 O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]
3 In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]
4 To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share. [Refrain]
B. He Arose (Refrain): Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph over His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
C. Jesus Paid It All (Refrain): Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
D. In Christ Alone (Refrain): In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
Here is a clarion call. Praise the Lord, the author and finisher of our faith. I can go on and on and on in praise and worship to Him. "Blessed be 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" (1 Peter 1:3). He has give us victory, we shall, therefore, lift him higher, and higher and higher!
Easter is not a story, but a profound message of salvation. If you are a sinner like me, then, the message is absolutely for you, as it is to me! Whoever does not receive Christ as personal Lord and Saviour will, certainly, meet Him as judge on the other side of eternity, hence the need to make hay while the sun shines!