He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

(John 1:10-11)

Jesus, the perfect Image of God, came into the world. He was born to image-bearers, raised by image-bearers, hung out with image-bearers, and then was crucified by image-bearers. Sadly,  instead of accepting His invitation to be children of God they settled for being orphans; instead of allowing their paths to be lit by the Light of the world they chose to stumble in the dark; instead of having their thirst satisfied by living water they drank from the cultural porcelain throne; instead of taking and eating the Bread of life they gorged themselves on perishable pagan junk food. Offered immortal possibility they settled for mortal limitation,

Jesus brought Good News to a people steeped in bad news but instead of a warm hug they gave Him the cold-shoulder.

We, however, don’t have to make that same mistake because if we accept Him as Savior, He welcomes us into the family of God, rehydrates our parched souls, nourishes our spiritual hunger, and grants us eternal life.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1: 12-13)

Sadly, the Creator was not recognized when He came into His world but thankfully their lack of earthly discernment was redeemed by a heavenly resurrection. Easter reminds us that the worst in us is no match for the best in God.

So this weekend, as we contemplate a cross crowded by sin, we must remember that we are also privy to an empty tomb where sin is no longer welcome.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15: 54-56)

Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash