It's about the Cross

It's easy to get caught up in the commercialization of Christian holidays; Easter becomes about the candy and bunnies, crosses become a thing of decoration and popular jewelry.  But it's this time of year in which we need to be reminded of the importance of the cross.  It's the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus that gives us grace and redemption today.  The cross is what allows us to be sinners yet not eternally separated from our Lord.  On the cross He bore our sins so that we may be healed, it was the ultimate act of limitless and unfailing love.  Jesus lived the perfect life and then suffered and died on the cross for our sins. Christ was the sacrifice, the perfect Lamb slain on our behalf. "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

We are all called to live a life of purpose, a life which makes Him known.  God commands us to go and make disciples of ALL the nations, near and far...to the ends of the earth.   So live a life with meaning, live in daily remembrance of the cross and the supreme sacrifice for our sins.

Its about the cross, its about our sin... 

He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. 

...The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.
("That's My King" Dr. S. M.  Lockeridge)

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. (Matt 16:21)

And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. (Matt 27:28-31)

...And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Then two  robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,  "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.  (Matt 27:37-44)

...Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. (Matt 28:1-6)

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  (Acts 2:22-24)