He is Risen!!

Matthew 28:5-6
"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.'"

We celebrate a risen Lord today! Actually, we celebrate a risen Lord every day, but most of the world joins with us today. Many people will go to church today, when they don't make it a part of their Sunday most weeks. For that, we also celebrate.

Julie was talking to some friends in Louisville last week as she was preparing to come home. She said that she would give anything to take her mom's place in this battle. Lying in a hospital bed with cancer is a tough burden. Julie loves her so much that she would gladly trade places with Tammy and take on her burden.

What a perfect example of what Christ did for us. We all carry a burden of our own sin ("...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."--Romans 3:23). He knew long before we were born that we would need someone to carry that burden for us. Without a substitute, we must pay for our own sins by spending eternity in Hell. Jesus loves us so much that He gave up His life for us.

There are so many great analogies for paying someone else's debt, like the judge who passes judgment, then takes off his robe to pay the fine for the accused, or even the good Samaritan. But we're living one right now, with all of us wishing we could take Tammy's place.

Our prayer for you this blessed Easter day (it's 12:40, so it's officially Easter) is that you would recognize and appreciate the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in your life.