Let’s begin at the end, the ending of this world and the start of a new world. Why? Because it’s easier to walk with Jesus through the pain of this world, knowing it was worth every moment to arrive at the final destination. What is Jesus’ final destination? Well, Revelation 22:1-5 sheds some light on the matter. John, one of the original twelve disciples, was given a vision of the believers’ new home. In the following text, life in the new world is described where we will actually see the face of God — not just a momentary glimpse but actually living in the very, holy presence of the One True God and not being ashamed because of sin.
Revelation 22:1-5
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Now that we have been given a glimpse of what the future holds with God for true believers, let’s take a look at Jesus’ ministry on this earth approximately two thousand years ago. The purpose for Jesus’ ministry is to give light to those in darkness. This light continues to overcome the darkness in this world today and will continue to shine throughout all eternity into the new promised world. Take a look at John 1:9-14.
John 1:9-14
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
As verse 10 states, the world did not recognize him. Why wouldn’t the world recognize God, the Creator of all? Because Jesus’ appearance was just like yours and mine. How do I know that? Well, God stated it in Isaiah 53:2.
Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Additionally, Philippians 2 tells how Jesus took on flesh and laid aside His heavenly glory.
Philippians 2:5-7
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Why would God’s Son come to this sin-filled earth, not only to dwell here but to die a tortuous death? What kind of God would do such a thing? The answer to those questions is that God loves us without measure. We are the reason Jesus came to this earth to die. God the Father required the penalty for sin to be paid; the death of a perfect, sinless person’s blood needed to be shed for the sins of the world. Jesus was the only person to walk this earth who could be considered worthy to fulfill God’s requirement of a perfect sacrifice. He took on the sins of the world so we would have the opportunity to live with our loving God forever, to actually see the face of the One True God and to have the opportunity to dwell in the His presence. If we have placed our faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we can have access to our loving God forever. Repentance of our sins and turning our lives over to the One True God is necessary to start a new journey with God. All the work has been done through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, allowing us access to the one living God.
Easter is celebrating the truth that Jesus is alive, recognizing Him as is the Savior of the world.
At some point whether you believe or don’t believe the claims of Jesus, you will see the face of God at the end of this life. Either He will call you friend and welcome you into His family, and you will rejoice in new life. Or He will say, “I never knew you,” and cast you away with the unbelievers, and your sin and shame will remain with you. That choice is up to you.
Easter is all about the promise of new life and the way God moves in our lives to bring about hope even in difficult circumstances. Testimonies are powerful declarations of God moving in our lives. One such testimony is Anne Wilson’s song “My Jesus,” which was written as a tribute about her brother’s premature death and how Jesus comforts her during the pain of her loss.
“Let me tell you about my Jesus.”
Happy Easter!
Discussions to make God known 