I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Psalm 118:21
Last night I attended the premier showing of the soon to be released movie “Breakthrough” which is based on a true story. After the movie, all I could think to say was Wow!” What a display of God’s power, and of the unfathomable ways in which he works through ordinary humans and events to affect his divine plan. In summary, a young man, John, dies (yes, he really does!). His loving mother would not give up on him even when the attending doctor tried to temper her hope by telling her that nothing more could be done to save him. John’s mother implores God, passionately pleading for her son’s life; God answers her prayer, miraculously bringing John back to life and also transforming him spiritually into a vessel that he can use while at the same time touching the lives of anyone and everyone who knew him or heard of him in new and surprising ways. He continues to do so even today as this powerful story is re-enacted in the “Breakthrough” movie.
“Breakthrough” reminded me that you and I were once dead in sin (yes, we really were). The devil thought he’d won and nothing else could be done to save us, but God himself stepped in with a plan that would give us life and freedom in Him. God put our sins on his son, Jesus, and sent him to the cross where he died (the penalty for our sin), and was buried in a tomb, but on the third day he rose again, confounding those who saw or heard of the miracle. Since this miraculous resurrection, Jesus has been transforming the lives of all who believe in him. He continues to do so today through faith in his word (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)”.
No matter what you’ve done or not done, Jesus has paid it all. No more accusations, no more condemnation; no more reparation. Just God’s love reaching out to you and wooing you to himself so that you too may have life and freedom in him. But wait, you might be one of the blessed ones who have already received salvation in his name. You cried out to him, and he heard you. You can now thank him, along with the Psalmist for what he has done for you. This is what Easter is all about; it is a reminder to all of us, that truly, “It is finished!” Our debt is paid in full and we can do no more to affect what God has perfected. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and he has become our salvation. Hallelujah!
Dear LORD, I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. Help me to be a good witness for you, so that others might experience a spiritual breakthrough through your Holy and Precious Name. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.