Signs of spring point to Jesus’ resurrection
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
Perhaps it is no coincidence that the signs of spring point to Jesus’ resurrection.
New life springs up. The cold dark winter is over, and vibrancy abounds. Victory abounds in Jesus. Death has been conquered. It was no small task.
Hope for humanity hinged on Jesus. Only a holy human would do.
But where could one be found after man’s fall and the inbred sin nature being passed down from Adam’s bloodline to those born into this world?
The Word of God was made flesh and dwelled among us. He was separate from sinners. Jesus came with purpose and a mission – to seek and to save that which was lost.
Hebrews 10:5 reveals that God came to this world in human form: “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared for me;”
What happened to that body? It became the needed sacrifice to bring humanity back to God.
I Corinthians 11:24 puts it this way: “…this is my body, which is broken for you…”
Isaiah 53:10 adds, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him…”
Earlier in the same chapter, it states, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Jesus carried the weight of everyone’s sin on His broad shoulders.
It was immense suffering that led to Jesus’ words on the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
A wonderful description of Jesus’s coming and mission is found in Philippians. It describes just who Jesus is.
“Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:6-8
Jesus experienced pain and suffering like no other. He was holy and righteous, yet He unjustly suffered the sentence of sin – which is death.
But that is not the end of the story. To those of His followers who witnessed it, Jesus’ death must’ve seemed so final. They saw Him take his final breath and witnessed blood and water pour from His side after being pierced.
Here is where Jesus’ holiness enters the equation. This is the reason for the Sunday celebration. Death could not keep Him down. He rose victoriously on the third day – His life springing forth from death.
What a conqueror. No greater love could be displayed toward humanity. God proved He so loved the world.
He’s alive and I’m forgiven – Heaven’s gates are open wide.
Some of my favorite verses are Romans 1:3,4. They identify Jesus as man and God and His victory over death.
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh: And declared to the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”
Yes, the wages of sin is death. But thank God it didn’t end there.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
Sam Kaufman pastors The Church of God at 405 13th Ave. N in Alex City. Contact him at 432 266-0154.
