40 Days of Easter 2011 Devotional for April 18

40 Days of Easter - April 18, 2011

Written by: Mark Dillon

The Way Back to God
Matthew 27:45-50

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Saying, ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? That is to say, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, this man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Focal Verse
Matthew 27:50 "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."

The ultimate price was paid. The blood of Jesus was shed on Calvary's cross. Jesus Christ had offered Himself as a sinless, spotless lamb, as a sacrifice for mankind. It is so great a story that men and women, boys and girls still tell it today over two thousand years later. It is well-documented in the Bible, still the greatest selling book of all time. The way back to God, lost since Adam's sin in the garden, was restored by Christ's sacrifice.

So what should we do with this sacrifice? First, be born again. This is to put your full faith and trust in what Jesus Christ did for you and me. Second, tell someone about what Jesus did for you. Third, present your bodies a living sacrifice for God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

Reflection:
Can I think back to a time and place and know that right there I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior?

Have I told someone lately that Jesus Christ died, was buried, rose on the third day, and is coming again?

If my time on Earth were finished today, would the Lord say "Well done, My good and faithful servant?"

Prayer
Lord, thank You for loving me enough to give Your life freely for mine. Help me to share this story with others as You would have me to. Lord, use my life in such a way that is pleasing to Thee. Amen