The greatest act of love was followed by the greatest act of power!
– Keith Miller
Paul speaks about that great act of love in Romans 5:6, and 8 (NIV).
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. […]
8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Then he speaks about that great act of power in Ephesians 1:18-21 (NIV).
18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
When I was young, I was an alter boy for several years. I prided myself when I was selected to carry the cross during the “Stations of the Cross” devotions at our church.
However, I had no understanding of its significance.
Many years later, when I was on a peace keeping duty in Cyprus, I took some time off to visit Jerusalem. I walked the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus was assumed to have walked. I watched as hundreds of pilgrims navigated the route on their knees, stopping to pray at different times.
I still didn’t understand.
I continued to where the historians believe the crucifixion took place. There were holes dug out in the rock where the base of the cross was inserted. I knelt and touched the inside of one of those holes with my hand. My breath was knocked out of me and I was filled with anguish.
But I still did not understand!
It was not until years later in a church in Newfoundland when my wife and several elders prayed over me did I finally understand!
I understood the great love it took for God to send His only Son to die for my sins. That He sent His only Son to this earth to die for our sins in order to sanctify us, to justify us, to restore us, to reconcile us so that we can be the persons God created us to be.
This weekend we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, our hope of salvation and eternal life. Our sins were paid for by His death, and our relationship with the Father was restored at His resurrection. Let us celebrate God’s great love that held Him on that cross, and God’s great power that raised Him from dead. We have been sanctified, justified, restored, and reconciled!
Jan Kwasniewski
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Christian Virtual School
