The Passion of Christ

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1:10-11).

Mocked and ridiculed. Spat upon. Beaten with fists and with whips. His back ripped and torn. His brow bloody and bruised from the crown of thorns pressed into the flesh. A spear piercing his side. Nailed to a cross and condemned to a brutal and agonizing death...JUST FOR YOU, and JUST FOR ME!

THIS WAS "THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST"

The word passion comes from a Latin word meaning "to submit to suffering". That is exactly what Jesus did. But why did he submit to such aweful suffering? Why did he allow himself to undergo such torture and misery?

In a word,...SIN. Not His...but ours! Jesus himself was without sin. He did nothing wrong...ever! He never had an evil thought. He never told even a "white lie". He was perfect, spotless and sinless. But we are NOT! The Bible tells us that every one of us is a sinner. Each of us has ignored the commandments of our Creator, rejected His authority over us, disobeyed His law, and failed to live up to His holy standards.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).; "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God" (Romans 3:10-11)

Sin has a hefty price tag: DEATH. The death of our bodies, but more importantly our spirits. We were given immortal souls, designed to live forever. We were meant to experience a deep and meaningful relationship with the One who created us. But nothing sinful or imperfect can ever enter the presence of God. All wickedness is utterly abhorrent to Him. So when we choose sin rather than God, we are choosing eternal separation from Him.

But...Praise god, in His infinite mercy, our Creator made a way for us to be reconciled to Him...God sent His only Son, Jesus to die in our place...to take the punishment for us and to pay the penalty for our sin. Why would he do such a thing?
In a word,...LOVE. An un-measureless love...for you and for me, and for the whole human race.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3:16)

The Bible tells us that the crucifixion was no surprise to Jesus. He new what was coming all along. From the beginning He knew what He would suffer...and yet He deliberately chose the path that would lead to the Cross. He willingly laid down His life to save us.

"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." (Isaiah 53:5)

The blood of Jesus was shed for us. That day on the cross, He paid the ultimate price, in order to reconcile God and man...to make peace between the two. What appeared to be a tragedy, born of hate, was in fact, Love's greatest triumph. And the crucifixion was not the end of the story. Death had no legal claim on Jesus...for He had done nothing to deserve to die, so death could not keep Him in the grave. On the morning of the third day, He arose again in power and glory...and now lives forevermore! Because He lives, so can we!

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me; though he were dead, yet shall he live:" (John 11:25)

Because of the suffering that Jesus endured; because of His death on the cross; because of His resurrection; the power of sin has been broken, and death has been conquered...but only those who believe in Him will receive the hope of heaven and the gift of eternal life...

A Man May Go To Heaven

A man may go to heaven...

• without health
• without wealth
• without fame
• without a great name
• without learning
• without big earnings
• without culture
• without beauty
• without friends
• without family
• without ten thousand other things

YOUR PART:

BELIEVE:
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31

REPENT:
God...commandeth all men every where to repent. Acts 17:30

CALL ON THE LORD:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

CONFESS JESUS PUBLICLY:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Do you believe? Will you receive this precious gift, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ? If you have never accepted Christ into your life or if you are unsure as to whether or not the blood that He shed has been applied to your life, and that you have the hope of eternity in heaven with the Father...you may have that assurance today by praying a simple prayer of faith...something like this:

(Dear Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and that I am in need of a Savior. I know that it was my sin that sent you to the cross. You took the punishment in my place. Thank you for sacrificing Your life for mine. Thank you for saving me from death, and giving me the hope of eternal life. Help me to live each day in the knowledge of your death and resurrection, forgiven and eager to seek and follow you. Amen)