Living as the Redeemed

Identity Found in God

The Redeemer and the Redeemed
The Redeemer
The Day Before the Cross
The Day of the Cross
The Day After the Cross
Living as the Redeemed

Living as the Redeemed
 
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  I Peter 1:3-4
 
As the sun was coming up on that Sunday morning, Mary and Mary Magdalene found themselves at the tomb.  Now try and imagine this:  there was a violent earthquake as an angel came down from heaven.  He rolled the stone away and sat there.  The guards, “shook and became like dead men”.  The women were in wonder as they saw an empty grave.  The angel tried to explain to them what was going on.  Matthew 28:8 sums up how they felt, “afraid yet filled with joy”.  I can only imagine.  Mark 16:8 used the words, “trembling and bewildered”.   The ladies shared the news with the disciples and Jesus continued to make Himself known to them.
 
On this day, the third day, Jesus appears alive and well.  And over the next days He, in human form, appears on earth before hundreds of people.  The ultimate High Priest, after offering the sacrifice and presenting all sin before God, came back!  Just as the high priest did from the Holy of Holies.  This appearance, this Resurrection, the fact that Jesus came back to the people, signifies God’s acceptance of the atonement Jesus made on our behalf.  That is incredible!  He spent time in the Holy of Holies, in Heaven, with God Almighty, and returned with the best news ever!  We are forgiven.  Jesus has made a way to get rid of all our bad choices, all our sins, all that separates us from God, and give us full access to God.  This is something – this is a relationship, a way, a Truth that you cannot find ANYWHERE else!
 
Whether you have heard or read this message multiple times, or whether this was the first time you have heard about the way of grace and salvation, I place a challenge before you.  The followers of Jesus during this time were in a specifically unique era.  They were used to living a life under the law, separated by the curtain.  What will this freedom of grace that Jesus just provided feel like?  They had to get used to living under this grace, this idea that their sins, all of their sins, were forgiven.  They were no longer bound under law.
 
As I dug into scripture to find a verse or passage to use to express this idea, there were too many to include.  My challenge for you is to dive into God’s Truth, seeking the abundant amount of verses that are put before us.  How blessed we are to have His word and His voice in our spirit, be ever so real, ever so present with us.  Don’t overlook it.  Don’t take for granted the learning of how to live in appreciation of what Jesus did for you, and a life that resembles a body that is alive, who has been set free by the power of grace.
 
The story doesn’t end on this Resurrection day.  May you be reminded of the many characteristics of God, your Creator, Potter, Shepherd, Father, Priest, King and Redeemer.  And may you find great worth, identity and purpose in yourself as a beautiful creation, clay pot, sheep, His child, forgiven, the child of the King, and a redeemed sinner.  You matter so much to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Continue to allow God’s plan and story unfold in your life.  May you step into a life as His Redeemed Beloved and walk with Him on His glorious journey He has prepared just for you!  
 

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