How can it be?

Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.

If I were to ask what sign or symbol represents Easter to you, I’m sure many would say the cross. The cross is something we see on church buildings; jewellery; and we often see sportsmen and women crossing themselves during sporting events.

At the time of Jesus’ death, the cross was a symbol of shame and embarrassment, as it was a symbol of warning and terror. The Roman empire used the cross as a means of execution. The cross was only used for slaves, robbers, assassins and rebels. It was seen as a shameful of a way to die. That was the level Jesus was brought down to when he was crucified.

Many have asked why Jesus didn’t do anything to get himself out of being crucified; why he didn’t do anything to prove to those who condemned him that he was God’s son. The answer to that question is that Jesus didn’t have prove to everyone that he was God’s son, because he had already demonstrated that on many occasions. Jesus had to die on the cross because of us, because, we, God’s people had sinned, and had rebelled against Him. Can it really be that Christ had to died because of us?

But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us. As a result, the blood of Jesus has made us right with God now, and certainly we will be rescued by Him from God’s wrath in the future.

Romans 5:8-9 (The Voice)

Jesus knew he had to die for you and for me! As we celebrate the risen Christ this Easter Sunday, we do so knowing that the cross symbolises all that Christ sacrificed for each one of us. We pray that you will too will will accept the forgiveness that Christ offers, and the salvation that is yours because of Him.

The band play a beautiful reflective piece of music entitled ‘And Can It Be’ (Dan Forrest arr. Andrew Wainwright) , which is set to the following well known words, words that remind us of all we have gained, because of Christ’s death.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain,
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
 
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace,
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me.
 
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke; the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
 
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.