It is Finished...Easter Sunday

While Jesus was crucified and hanging on the cross:

"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:28-30 NIV)

What happened here? More than the mortal men and women watching that scene could see with their naked eyes. I discussed on the Good Friday post about Jesus paying the price for sin, for all of us forever, by dying on the cross. He traded places with man and went to the place of suffering and punishment instead of us! Jesus went to Hades. (Acts of the Apostles 1:31)

For three days, Jesus remained in Hades, tormented by the complete separation of God. Jesus, by dying on the cross and becoming sin for us, had to go to the place made for separation. He wasn't alone, there were others there paying their price for sin as well. And of course, Satan and his minions were present. The Savior Christ was defeated, and was now in prison.

Something happened after three days. God's Holy Spirit quickened and empowered Jesus. He was loose in the prison, and He was on a mission. The scriptures aren't very clear exactly what took place, but I'm willing to bet that the devil, Satan, never took a beating quite like he took that day.

Thus began the greatest prison break in history! Jesus emerged from the place of suffering and then EMPTIED IT! Then, after the three days had passed:

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
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. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:1-10 NIV)

HE IS ALIVE!!! The Man that knew no sin, and became sin for US, defeated the grave and was now the risen Savior. Jesus walked, talked and even ate with His disciples.

This is the true meaning of Easter. Jesus was crucified and died, then rose from the grave three days later. All for YOU! God wants you part of His family, that's why He sent Jesus to die on the cross.

Here's the rub, salvation is all up to you. You can choose to accept it or reject it, just as the people in Christ's time did. I wouldn't wait, time is short and His return to this Earth is imminent. It could happen at any time. Don't be left behind when the world gets turned on its head and hell is released.

Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior on today. Acknowledge the perfect sacrifice and live eternally!