“Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Today is Good Friday.

Growing up, Good Friday was a school holiday. No school was something every child eagerly anticipated, and it preceded a weekend chock-full of fun activities.

We could count on our parents having baskets of candy and a chocolate bunny waiting on us when we woke on Easter morning. Mama would have made a new Easter dress for me to wear to church. She’d have purchased new stockings, white shoes, and made a matching pull-string purse to hold a tissue and a coin for the offering plate. I have three brothers, so there was plenty of competition for the hidden prize egg when we had the egg hunt with all the boiled eggs we’d decorated.

These childhood memories are precious to my heart. Today, however, as I sit outside listening to the spring birds chirping and feel the cool April breeze run across my sun-warmed arms, my thoughts travel back to a very different experience.

Intolerable Cruelties

I’ve spent several days reading about the cruelties Jesus experienced before He suffered and gave His life for us on the cross. A friend whom He’d loved and invested time and training in betrayed Him. He was so overwhelmed by what He knew He’d be facing that His pores sweated drops of blood. Those closest to Him abandoned Him, but His words still protected them. An army of at least 650 men dressed for battle arrested Him. There was so much authority and power in Jesus that just Him mentioning His identity caused the soldiers to fall. Jesus healed the ear of a man present to arrest Him. Yet with all this power and authority, He willingly went with them despite knowing their cruel intentions.

He was led for judgment by religious leaders whose hate was so intense that they spit on, humiliated, beat, blindfolded, and mocked Jesus mercilessly. They beat Him beyond anything we could fathom, such that He was unrecognizable. He was further beaten, mocked, and scorned by the military charged to secure Him, and endured a Roman scourging few survived. All of this was before the final torturous suffering of crucifixion.

Eager Anticipation

Easter was a holiday I eagerly anticipated as a child. I wonder about the eagerness of Jesus. Despite all the torture Jesus knew awaited Him, He looked beyond the cross and saw you and me. And because He loved us so much and anticipated our having a lasting covenant with His Father, He endured unthinkable abuse and death. The very human part of Him could not have welcomed the suffering, but I think He welcomed what He knew it would afford.

For every need, pain, illness, and heartache we have had or will ever suffer, Jesus willingly gave His life. Even now, He is at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. His love for us is beyond human comprehension. Greater love has no man than this, and He has that love for you.

No Greater Love

So today, as you make preparations for Easter dinner with your loved ones, shop for the perfect dress or shoes, add another chocolate bunny to a basket, or decorate eggs with children, keep in mind all the love a person could ever have was poured out for you this day many years ago. He is the reason we celebrate–not just because He took stripes on His back for our healing or died so every sin could be forgiven, but because He didn’t stay that way! We celebrate because He is alive! He rose again, as He said He would!

In Jesus, we have the perfect example of how to love others. There is no greater love than laying your life and desires down for someone else. Most importantly, we have the opportunity to accept a loving relationship with the Creator of the world. Make beautiful memories with your loved ones, and remember the reason we celebrate. Think on all the good Jesus did this Friday and the great love He has for you. How amazing to know that someone who loved you enough to die for you is speaking to the Father on your behalf!

“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that He has lavished on us! He has called us and made us His very own beloved children.”

1 John 3:1a, TPT

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your Son to die for my sins. Help me to never forget the price Jesus paid so I could be in right standing with You. I ask You to forgive me for every sin and I commit my life afresh to You right now.

Jesus, thank You for willingly laying down your life for me. Now I live for You.

I will celebrate this season with joy because You were thinking of the joy that would come from my being Yours. Thank You for Your great love for me! Help me each day to show Your great love to others.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Let’s Talk!

Do you know how much you are loved? You are loved more than you can imagine! What is one way you show love to others? What is a tradition you have that you love? Leave your responses in the comments at the bottom of this post. I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings,

Free Gift: Believing for a Miracle – chapter one!

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The post Good Friday’s Greater Love appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

“Who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.”

This morning I sat outside on the swing reading one of my “no deep-thinking required” books. I read a lot of books to help me grow closer to the Lord or develop skills, but I also enjoy reading stories that expand my imagination. This book was one of those, and as I got to the end, the author made some excellent and unexpected points about God’s grace and mercy overflowing even when we make the most horrific mistakes.

I’m not prone to tears, but I think I might have gotten a little dust in my eyes as I read the author’s closing revelation. She wrote, “God is more than just a salvager. He is a blessed redeemer. God not only forgives, He restores. God not only heals, He blesses” (Spredemann, 2013). While I had not related to many of the specific troubles of the heroine in the Amish story, the truth remains we all face difficult moments in life. Some of those are even of our own making. Regardless of the source of the mistake, God doesn’t just patch up our brokenness, He redeems us.

Redeemed

Titus 2:14 tells us that Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us. The Greek word for redeem means, “to cause to be released to one’s self by payment of a ransom” (G3084, n.d.). To be redeemed is to be so free that nothing hinders us from doing His will, from living a full, happy life. He paid the price; we just need to accept the gift of that freedom.

We all still mess up, saying or doing the wrong thing. When that happens, we decide our next steps. We can blame someone else. We can curl into a ball on the inside and watch the world move on as we harbor hurt, fear, or unforgiveness within us. A better choice is to get up, dust off, and see what God has for us next. But even when we do things our way instead of God’s way, He still has a plan to return us to Himself. He is always in the forgiving and redemption business. He wants us redeemed.

Forgiven

There is not one thing you could ever do that is so bad that God won’t forgive if you ask. This is part of the new covenant He made with us, when His Son died on the cross on our behalf. In Matthew 6:14, Jesus says, “For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (AMPC). He put no other stipulations on the gift of forgiveness, and once forgiven, He sets you free from it. There is no longer any need for guilt or shame. Jesus bore our shame for us on the cross.

“For I will be merciful to their wrongdoing and I will never again remember their sins.”

Hebrews 8:12, HCSB

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”

1 John 1:9, AMPC

Today my heart is heavy for the one who feels they have just messed up one too many times. I’m reaching out to the one who thinks what they did was too embarrassing or shameful to come to a holy God and say, “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” yet again. I plead with you to forgive yourself, forgive others, and ask God to forgive you so you can be redeemed and walk toward His plan for your life with your head lifted.

“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.”

Psalms 3:3, AMP

Free and Blessed

When we receive His forgiveness and the freedom that comes with that, we are redeemed and we begin to overflow with His blessings. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control-all the fruits that come from letting Him prune off the weights that hinder and submitting to His instructions. Overflow always touches more than the one from whom it is flowing.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 , AMP

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard-things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”

Galatians 5:22-23, MSG

Return to Him. He has a plan for you. God’s love is bigger than your worst mistake. It’s bigger than repeated mistakes! Our Father doesn’t sit in Heaven anticipating our mess-ups so He can punish us. He isn’t waiting for us to grovel for His mercy while holding our sins against us and reminding us of our unworthiness. He isn’t human. Live redeemed. His love and grace are greater than all our sins.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I thank you that You sent Jesus to redeem me. Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me and purchasing my freedom. I choose to forgive every person, from my heart, who has ever done anything wrong toward me. Bless each one and draw them closer to You. I ask You, also, to forgive me for every sin that I knowingly or unknowingly committed. Because of Your love, I am free from all sin and You see me as pure. According to Your Word, You will no longer remember my sin! Sin has no hold on me any longer. I am free. I am Your daughter, and I receive Your love and forgiveness. Now there is nothing that can separate me from You. Thank You, God, for your unfailing love and mercy. I keep myself humble before You and know You are the lifter of my head. I thank You that Your presence in me will help me to overflow in Your blessings!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Let’s Talk!

What scripture is your go-to when you feel you’ve messed up or don’t know how to move forward? Leave it in the comments at the bottom of this post. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Blessings,

References:

G3084 – lytroō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3084&t=KJV

Johnston, J. (1911). Grace greater than our sin [Hymn]. Retrieved from https://hymnary.org/text/marvelous_grace_of_our_loving_lord

Spredemann, J.E.B. (2013). An unforgiveable secret. [Kindle Paperwhite version]. Retrieved from amazon.com

Free Printable Set: God’s Love is Bigger!

Enjoy this God’s Love is Bigger printable set as a free gift. Included in the download are eight colorful photos with “God’s Love is Bigger than Our Worst Mistake” printed on each. Choose your favorite to print or print them all! They are 8×10, perfect for framing!

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Printable: Redeemed!

Enjoy this Redeemed printable, reminding you that you are released from guilt and shame and are truly free. You are worth the price Jesus paid, so remember to live like it! This prints as an 8×10, perfect for framing! File includes nineteen different prints from which to choose, but you get them all! Print as many as you’d like! *You will receive a digital copy (PDF) of 19 prints in size 8×10. Available for $2.99 to download. No physical item will be mailed.

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These printables are also available in 5×7 for $1.99. Click here to view and purchase.

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Today’s Must-Read Recommendation:

This Season of Freedom: 5-Minute Messages to Free Your Soul

Get Paula A. Lambert’s 31-Day devotional, This Season of Freedom for more ways to win the battle of discouragement every day.

You’ll find her books as well as books and journals by other authors online at Integrity Publishing. (Purchases also available directly through Amazon.)

Photo Credit: The Beautiful Mess

The post Redeemed. No Groveling Required. appeared first on Holly D. Murray.