If you are a beliver, this is your story; the story of how great Christ’s love is for you. I hope that you will live the story as you read it. Picture it all in your mind, and let Christ speak to you.
Can you see the darkness of your sin as it really is, in all its rebellion, deception, and transgression against your Creator? Can you feel your arms weighted down with this load of grief that you cannot bear? Can you see Jesus Christ hanging on the cross, with the blood trickling from the places where the nails have pierced His hands and His feet? Can you see yourself slowly approaching the cross, wondering if He will turn you away? Listen to Him say,
“Cast your burden at My feet, My child; it is too heavy for you to carry.” Can you see yourself drop it at His feet, and fall to your knees, weeping? As you hesitatingly look up, your eyes meet His. You see the anguish of spirit and body expressed in His eyes. Suddenly you realize that this Man, the Son of God, is suffering for you. He willingly bore the punishment that you deserved. Hope, and grief, at the same time flood your soul. You notice the tears that overflow from His eyes as well. You hear Him struggle to draw a breath, and then He cries out, “It is finished!” You know that the atonement for your sin is fully paid. Yet you weep, because He has died. You wonder if there actually is hope. How can you live without Him?
Three days later, you come again to the garden where they have buried Him. You have been there many times before, sorrowfully wondering what you should do now. Then, from a little ways off, you see a man walking toward you. He looks familiar. As you gaze at him, he looks straight into your eyes. It is Jesus. You run to Him, and He catches you in a warm embrace. “Jesus, You are alive!” you exclaim. He smiles and says, “Nothing could keep me in the grave.” He explains to you that everything happened according to the Father’s intention. He suffered, died, and rose again, just as planned. “I do only the will of the Father,” He says. Then, He assures you that His sacrifice has paid for your transgression—His blood has covered you and washed you clean. “Sometimes you may doubt,” He says, “but do not fear. My promises are faithful and My word is true.” Again, He looks into your eyes. “My child, do you believe this?” He asks. “Yes, Jesus, I do,” you reply. “Remember also,” He says, “that the same power that raised Me from the dead, now lives in you, through My Spirit.”
Now, though you do not see Him in person, you know that what He has promised is true. You have no need to be afraid, or to doubt your salvaion, because you know that nothing can take you out of His hand.
“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
-Romans 8:38-39
