His Death Has Your Sins Covered Bro

It's been a long time since I set foot into a club, but I hear commercials all the time for them and the cover charge to get in. I'm reflecting right now on the ultimate cover charge that was paid for me. This week millions all over the world partake in cultural practices to re-live, remember, and rejoice for what Easter represents. The resurrection changes everything. It is the ultimate game changer in human history. Naturally I am a sinner. There is no way around it. I can't pretend, can't fake it, and can't even run from it. I'm broken, depraved, and a sinner...but the cross changes all that. It isn't the symbol of the cross, but rather the meaning of the cross. As Jesus laid on the cross and had his hands and feet nailed to the cross, I think of the blood and the sacrifice. I do! It means everything to me, and I have prepped my whole life's plan and have waged everything I have for people to know about the cross. It was on that cross every sin I have committed, will commit, or even think about, was nailed as Jesus said, No, No, I got this for you. I'm not alone, His death has your sins covered bro.

Let that sink in.

The cross is the game changer in human history and for me it is what I build my life on. I don't know where you are at, what you struggle with, or what may hold you down. Know this though, you can be forgiven, your sin was covered bro.

On the cross Jesus bore sin for all humanity-past, present, & future. Don't let sin hold you back, and don't let Satan keep you a prisoner. BE FREE-Christ's death on the cross was your ticket to freedom. So how can you be free? Recognize you are a sinner and ask to be forgiven; Believe Christ died and rose again; and commit to live a life for Christ. Finally tell someone. When you recognize the power of Christ; bro, life changes. It's not all perfect, but it is a rush and experience of freedom from your former life.

Easter is about the victory we find in Jesus upon His resurrection. That's right-in case you haven't heard, Jesus rose again. Can't make this stuff up. No other god has a story to tell like that, but then again Jesus wasn't just any god.

Christmas Flesh & The Cross

Tis' the season to stop and pause amongst the chaos of Christmastime. Most Americans actually have a day or two off this week to celebrate Christmas. For me, I take some time to enjoy the chaos, which I thrive in, and also to get away from it all. In this time, I reflect on what Christmas is all about. I'm drawn to Philippians 2:8, which read, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Although in this season we think more about the birth of Christ, than we do the resurrection, His purpose was for a far greater purpose than a humble beginning. Don't think of this time and reflect on a cozy, poor lit stable, with dirty animals, where a family had to rest because every other place in town had the 'No Vacancy' sign lit up. Jesus came to earth in this setting to release us, you and me, from sin. It is a power that only comes in the name of Jesus. In the passage Paul wrote that I quoted above, he connects the two thoughts of Christmas-Jesus birth, and the resurrection. Interestingly enough, the word used in Phil 2:8, as "fashion" is the Gk word schema. Schema used in ancient times was used to depict a king who exchanged the kingly garments for a brief period of time for the clothing of a beggar.
When God came to earth, He did so in a way where He shed the "glorious", for the clothing of human flesh. Man's temporal tent, or earthly flesh is wonderfully made, but nothing compares to the appearance of God. He went from radiant glory from eternity past, and came to earth as a babe, so He could carry a cross, then be crucified on it. HUMILITY at it's greatest. When you are in the midstof the craziness of Christmas with family, friends, crowded malls, and last minute deals, remember Christmas and the earthly flesh God manifested as a baby. He was born to die for you and me. This is what Christmas is really about.