Unconditional love

One of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible is John 3:16. God’s love for the world, God’s love for you, for me, is displayed in the gift of his son. Whose life was given for us, and all God says is if you believe in my son, you can live with me for all eternity. It’s the verse that explains the Easter message.

At Easter, we reflect on the actions of Jesus, who chose willingly, even joyfully (Hebrews 12:2) to take the cross. Why? Because he knew that by his actions he’d bring us once more into a right relationship with God. This relationship was lost due to sin (doing the opposite of what God asks), sin separated us from God, and yet God in his loving mercy and grace made a way that we could have this close relationship with him once more. By Jesus going to the cross, dying, and rising again, he took the punishment, which was ours on himself, so we would no longer be accountable for our sin, but be forgiven, washed clean, where we can stand before our God, free.

Think of it like doing your groceries and realising the bills getting bigger and you’re not sure how you’ll be able to pay for that, and when the cashier tells you the amount, you’re gobsmacked, not because it’s a large amount, but they say; “Your total today is $0.00.” or in today's pressures, you go to pay your rent and the agent tells you it’s already been paid, or you go pay some of your mortgage and the bank tells you that you owe no more money, even though you knew you had several repayments to pay.

Your bills are paid, for free, you can’t explain how or why, but it’s done. That’s what God does for us, he paid the bill of our sin, once and for all, meaning we don’t have a bill to pay, but can walk freely, forgiven, not because of who we are, but because of God’s love.

As we enter this Easter period we have two different responses. The first is to pause and reflect on the actions of Jesus. Usually done on the Friday. On how he took our sins on himself, to die our death for the sin, so we can be close to God. We reflect on our sins and repent and thank him for doing so. Jesus tells us why. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. He calls us friends and dies what should be ours due to sin. We reflect and thank him for his actions.

Then on the Sunday, we celebrate. That Jesus rose from the dead and defeated sin and death. The complete act of Jesus who rose victorious, saving us. Jesus is the saviour of the world. He is not dead but alive.

When we read John 3:16-17, we see why Easter. God’s love to save us, to bring us where we can be in a close relationship with him. Can I encourage you to read John 3:16-17 and make it personal.

For God so loved you, that he gave his one and only son for you, and that if you believe in him, you shall have eternal life. For God didn’t send his son into the world to condemn you, but that you would be saved through him.

Spend some time this easter to first reflect on what Jesus did for you, and secondly celebrate the actions of love he did for you, so that you can come to God freely, set free by his actions.

Have a blessed Easter Break.

Andrew Austin

Chaplain

Arrowsmith Program