Easter Sunday - The Goodness of God
Easter 2022 - The Goodness of God
It’s Easter time, time to reflect on the passion week of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all that he endured to secure the price of our redemption. The Messiah, as prophecy long foretold, came to redeem us and conquer sin and death. Jesus’ coming and sacrifice are all for our good. It benefits our Heavenly Father nothing. He was never bound by sin (He was and always will be holy). He was never under the authority of death (He was and always will be eternal, the Great I AM). And
our God never needed a price for the sins that He never committed. But we on the other hand were subject to all three; sin had control of us, death ruled over us, and we needed redemption from both our sins and our sinful nature which ruled over us since the Fall of Adam & Eve.
So, Easter captured in one phrase would be “The Goodness of God”. It’s John 3:16-17 lived out with skin on. Even the Old Testament prophecies name the Messiah “Immanuel – God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14). That’s incredibly good news! Isaiah continues in chapter 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Again, great news for people walking in darkness and for people living in the shadow of death. Some light and life has come in the Messiah, good news! And the prophet Isaiah continues in chapter 53:5-6 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” So, he suffered and died, and it was all for our transgressions, our iniquities, and the punishment that brought us peace was upon him. It is through his wounds that we are healed.
And notice that it wasn’t HIS INIQUITY that was placed on him, but ours! That’s a good God!
And 900 years before Jesus came, the Psalmist described how Jesus would die, in fact Jesus himself on the cross began that Psalm, Psalm 22 when he said “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some have suggested that Jesus sensed loneliness like never before as his Heavenly Father, a holy God who could not look upon sin, turned his back on him as he paid the price of the sins of the whole world.
While this may be true, I’d suggest that it’s also possible that Jesus was doing as they often did in a verbal tradition and society, where they began a passage of scripture so that the hearers could continue on with that passage. So, Jesus was reminded them of the Messianic prophecies in Psalm 22 such as (v.7) “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. And verses 14-16
“I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.” And (v.18) “They divide my garments among them, and cast lots for my clothing.” That’s not good for the Messiah, but it sure is good news for us! It’s clearl pointing to the death that Jesus would die 900 years later. Psalm 22 continues, verses 27-28 “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.” And continuing in verses 30-31 “Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn for HE HAS
DONE IT.”
And all this Jesus did for our good. Our God needed nothing, but He gave us everything. Jesus suffered and died and rose again, all for our good. He wasn’t a prisoner of sin – we were. He wasn’t bound by death – He was and is still immortal and eternal. Death never had authority over Him. The grave stone wasn’t rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let us in. All that Easter is about is for us, and for our good! And what a good God we have, who would humble himself and take on the flesh of a man, so that we could get an understanding of the love and generosity of our God.
God is good, and always works for our good, as clearly seen in the Easter story. He made a way where there was no way. That’s a Good God, with good news for you and me.
I invite you to experience the goodness of God. It’s clearly expressed in Easter!
It’s Easter time, time to reflect on the passion week of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all that he endured to secure the price of our redemption. The Messiah, as prophecy long foretold, came to redeem us and conquer sin and death. Jesus’ coming and sacrifice are all for our good. It benefits our Heavenly Father nothing. He was never bound by sin (He was and always will be holy). He was never under the authority of death (He was and always will be eternal, the Great I AM). And
our God never needed a price for the sins that He never committed. But we on the other hand were subject to all three; sin had control of us, death ruled over us, and we needed redemption from both our sins and our sinful nature which ruled over us since the Fall of Adam & Eve.
So, Easter captured in one phrase would be “The Goodness of God”. It’s John 3:16-17 lived out with skin on. Even the Old Testament prophecies name the Messiah “Immanuel – God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14). That’s incredibly good news! Isaiah continues in chapter 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Again, great news for people walking in darkness and for people living in the shadow of death. Some light and life has come in the Messiah, good news! And the prophet Isaiah continues in chapter 53:5-6 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” So, he suffered and died, and it was all for our transgressions, our iniquities, and the punishment that brought us peace was upon him. It is through his wounds that we are healed.
And notice that it wasn’t HIS INIQUITY that was placed on him, but ours! That’s a good God!
And 900 years before Jesus came, the Psalmist described how Jesus would die, in fact Jesus himself on the cross began that Psalm, Psalm 22 when he said “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some have suggested that Jesus sensed loneliness like never before as his Heavenly Father, a holy God who could not look upon sin, turned his back on him as he paid the price of the sins of the whole world.
While this may be true, I’d suggest that it’s also possible that Jesus was doing as they often did in a verbal tradition and society, where they began a passage of scripture so that the hearers could continue on with that passage. So, Jesus was reminded them of the Messianic prophecies in Psalm 22 such as (v.7) “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. And verses 14-16
“I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.” And (v.18) “They divide my garments among them, and cast lots for my clothing.” That’s not good for the Messiah, but it sure is good news for us! It’s clearl pointing to the death that Jesus would die 900 years later. Psalm 22 continues, verses 27-28 “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.” And continuing in verses 30-31 “Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn for HE HAS
DONE IT.”
And all this Jesus did for our good. Our God needed nothing, but He gave us everything. Jesus suffered and died and rose again, all for our good. He wasn’t a prisoner of sin – we were. He wasn’t bound by death – He was and is still immortal and eternal. Death never had authority over Him. The grave stone wasn’t rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let us in. All that Easter is about is for us, and for our good! And what a good God we have, who would humble himself and take on the flesh of a man, so that we could get an understanding of the love and generosity of our God.
God is good, and always works for our good, as clearly seen in the Easter story. He made a way where there was no way. That’s a Good God, with good news for you and me.
I invite you to experience the goodness of God. It’s clearly expressed in Easter!
Here in San Luis Obispo we strive to reach our community and world for Christ, and believe that SLO needs Jesus just as much as any other place. We strive to create a positive and healthy space for you and your family to grow in faith through our Lord and Savior. Events, bible studies, life groups, services, and so much more happen every week off and on campus. The best part is, you're invited! Hope to see you soon.
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