What Easter Means To Me

Easter reminds me that because Jesus paid the penalty for my sins, I am free from guilt and shame. Have you ever felt such deep guilt that you couldn’t get over it? Most people probably haven’t done anything terrible enough to bring on that kind of deep shame.

For those who have been forgiven, love for Jesus runs very deep because it changes your life in an indescribable way. It can’t be explained to someone who hasn’t experienced it. Maybe you could imagine what it would be like when you hear the hymn, Amazing Grace, written by John Newton, a slave ship captain who experienced God’s merciful forgiveness.

Another example is a woman known only as “The Sinful Woman” found in Luke 7:36-50.

This woman came to see Jesus while he dined with some religious leaders. The passage only tells us the bare bones of the story, but we can imagine what might have taken place. I have often wondered, what she was doing at the party!?

“But it was acceptable in Jesus’ day for people to come to a party to watch and listen to the conversation. They were not allowed to eat, but they could observe.” (Never Thirsty Ministry)

She was there to see and hear Jesus.

I have no idea what Jesus and the Pharisees talked about. Maybe Jesus talked about the forgiveness of sins. Perhaps, as she listened, she believed He was the Messiah and experienced the joy of receiving forgiveness.

Maybe Jesus quoted Old Testament Scriptures such as Isaiah 1:18:

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Maybe He quoted Psalm 103:12:

“… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

And maybe, He looked right in her eyes as he did, not at the Pharisees, but only at her, and maybe that is why she cried so hard that she could actually wash His feet with her tears.

Verse 44 tells us that Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 

“… her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Imagine how she felt, knowing He was talking about her.

She probably thought no one would pay any attention to her that evening. But Jesus looked right at her and spoke the words she longed to hear:

“Her many sins have been forgiven.”

Easter means forgiveness and cleansing to me. Anyone carrying guilt can be free from that heavy load, just like I was and just like slave ship Captain John Newton. Receive God’s gift of salvation by trusting in His son, Jesus, and giving your life to Him.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-8 KJV

His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Jussara Romão on Unsplash

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