Jesus is opening His arms to you, friend!

Easter reminds us how much we can identify with Jesus. His death and resurrection show us His love for us, no matter the situation we’re in! And in every battle we’re facing as a result of COVID-19. He endured everything for us, as this passage from the Bible reminds us: “...There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!” (Isaiah 53:2-4, NLT)   What’s causing you to suffer right now? Humiliation, rejection, scorn, loneliness, physical and/or emotional pain?  Jesus understands and knows very well what you can endure, as He Himself went through terrible suffering on the cross:

• He was rejected and despised, the One who had accomplished miracles.
• He was stricken by God, afflicted, even though He was perfectly holy.
• He was humiliated, spit on, He, the Son of God.
• He was slapped, whipped, the One who had done nothing wrong.
• He was mocked, insulted, and He didn’t defend Himself.
• He was alone, separated from those He loved.
• He was abandoned by all.

Yes, on the hill called Golgotha, Jesus bore EVERYTHING. He obeyed, even to the point of death on a cross. (see Philippians 2:8) His sacrifice enables us today to be saved from our sins, healed from our diseases, and reconciled with the Father. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”   As we remember the price Jesus paid for us, let’s worship Him with this classic hymn, “Jesus Paid It All,” sung by Kim Walker-Smith.     Identifying with Jesus, with His suffering and His cross, is the sometimes very difficult path we take as Christians. But don’t forget that it’s also the path of victory and resurrection...Jesus took your place so that you’d never feel alone again, even through your pain. Today, remember that He opens His arms to love you, comfort you, strengthen you, calm you, and heal you… friend, I wish you a beautiful day, filled with His peace: Jesus accomplished everything, and He is alive!