Devotion

The Meaning of Easter

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

(John 10:17–18)

Why does Jesus say this? Why does he stress his willingness to die? Because if it weren’t true—if his death were forced on him, if it weren’t free, if his heart weren’t really in it - then a big question mark would be put over his love for us.The depth of his love is in its freedom. If he didn’t die for us willingly - if he didn’t choose the suffering and embrace it - then how deep is his love, really? So he stresses it. He makes it explicit. It comes out of me, not out of circumstances, not out of pressure, but out of what I really long to do.

Of all the great things that Easter means, it also means this: it is a mighty “I meant it!” behind Christ’s death. I meant it! I was free. You see how free I am? You see how much power and authority I have? I was able to avoid it. I have power to take up my life out of the grave. And could I not, then, have devastated my enemies and escaped the cross? 

My resurrection is a shout over my love for my sheep: It was free! It was free! I chose it. I embraced it. I was not caught. I was not cornered. Nothing can constrain me to do what I do not choose to do. I had power to take my life from death. And I have taken my life from death. How much more, then, could I have kept my life from death!I am alive to show you that I really loved you. I freely loved you. Nobody forced me to it. And I am now alive to spend eternity loving you with omnipotent resurrection love forever and ever. Come to me, all you sinners who need a Saviour.  And I will forgive you and accept you and love you with all my heart forevermore.

Lord, we give thanks that the resurrection of Jesus is given to us as the confirmation or evidence that he was indeed free in laying down his life, and that the resurrection is Christ’s testimony to the freedom of his love. Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, and the salvation that we enjoy in Him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

courtesy of John Piper, 'Love to the Uttermost'.