Pastor Jim's Chatterbox

Easter

Why did Jesus Die?

There is a special thing He did for us, which is the real reason we celebrate Easter. Easter is a wonderful time of year isn't it? All those yummy Easter eggs we get. Hmm I love chocolate don't you? Well it is wonderful to give and receive Easter eggs, but what is it we are really celebrating?

Easter is the celebration of Jesus' crucifixion and how he rose from the dead and went to Heaven to sit with God, His Daddy.

Did you know that Jesus died for all of us here on earth? Yep, He sure did. His death was His wonderful gift to all of mankind.

Any death is a sad thing. Life is so important. Jesus died when he was only 33 years old. His death especially at the age of 33 years old is very sad. Pastor Jim rejoices at this though. I am sad only in the how Jesus died, not why he died. Let me explain.

We celebrate Easter because of what happened to Jesus. This world would love to change that but that will not happen as long as there are people like you and I who tell the truth.

When the religious rulers handed Jesus over to the Jewish King, then over to Pilot the Roman ruler, who then handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be mocked, whipped and then crucified. Jesus was not in good shape. He did not even look like a man. He was whipped with 39 lashes with a leather whip filled with pieces of bone and sharp metal pieces. This ripped his skin to shreds. They pulled out His hair from his beard and head. They hit him with their hands repeatedly and spit on him repeatedly. A crown of thorns was woven that had thorns over 1 inch long, and they put it on his head. Pretty sad right? Well this is the bad part of his death. When they nailed his hands and feet to a wooden cross and yelled and screamed at him while he was slowly dying, he said to God, "Forgive them Father, because they do not know what they are doing." Wow. This really sends shivers up my back and tears to my eyes. Jesus forgave them.

Have Mom or Dad read these verses to you

Isaiah 50:6 - Plucked, Spit and Whipped,

Isaiah 52:14 - Beaten Beyond Recognition,

and all of Isaiah 53. This is one of Pastor Jim's favourite verses.

Now listen to this. This is the happy thing. Jesus could have walked away from all this. His followers were even willing to fight for him to protect him. Jesus did not even call upon His Daddy to help him or the angels. He went willingly. Why? The answer to this marvels Pastor Jim. He stands in wonderment at the answers and cries even harder than the sad cry of his death. Let's read this verse from scripture. This verse effects me more than any verse I have read.

Hebrews 12:2

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God."

What? You say this verse brings tears to your eyes Pastor Jim. Yes it does and rightly so. What was the JOY that was set before Jesus to make Him go through pain and death for? Think hard because the answer is really simple like God is. The answer is YOU. You and I was his prize. You and I were His great joy. Wow. This is unbelievable. This is far out. Too much for me to understand or even think. Why me? I love him because he first loved me. INCREDIBLE!!

So this Easter really celebrate Jesus. Lift him up high, PRIZE (you), and TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM and do not be afraid to call yourself a Prize.

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY

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