IT IS JUST BEGINNING

When Jesus died on the cross late afternoon, Good Friday, he cried out one final phrase, three famous last words: It is finished. There were probably some within hearing distance who thought his words were a cry of despair, as if he were saying, "It's over. The dream has ended." The truth is, however, it was a cry of victory. "It is finished." This phrase can also be translated "Paid in full."

So, when Jesus said, "It is finished," he was saying, "My work is complete...I have paid the price for the salvation of humankind." The writer of Hebrews said, "Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people." (Hebrews 9:28) Paul summed it up this way: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

This is the message of the cross — "It is finished." There is nothing you can do to earn more of God's love or to gain his mercy or to deserve forgiveness or to receive salvation. Jesus paid it all. His work is complete. That's why his last words were, "It is finished." It's the message of the cross.

But the story doesn't end on Friday evening. After he died, Jesus was placed in a tomb. Then, on the morning of the third day, some of his followers came to the tomb to anoint his body with oil ... but his body wasn't there. He had been resurrected. Jesus, who was dead on Friday, was now alive on Sunday. And though his death brought to a close his work of salvation, his resurrection opened a new chapter in the story of the human experience. Easter morning, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizes what God wants to do in the life of each and everyone.

The message of Easter is "It is just beginning," because through the power of the resurrection, we have been given new life. It's not that we follow a God who exists somewhere out there, far beyond us. This God becomes part of your life. He comes to take up residence inside you. His Spirit fills your spirit with his presence. He can take a life that is dead stained with sin and failure, and make it alive again. He does that for everyone who comes to him. He can do that for you.

 There are many people today who desperately need an empty canvass. You need a blank slate. A fresh start. You need the etch-a-sketch power of God's forgiveness, and I want you to know that it's available to you. You can begin your new life today. You can become the person God created you to be, through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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