Easter.

We all know the effects of sin right?

Shame.

Guilt.

Worry.

Anxiety.

But Jesus, in His perfection and purity, had never known these things. Because He was sinless, He never knew the aftermath of sin, that is, until He became sin for us. And when Hechose to take our punishment for sin, all the emotional turmoil of our sin came along with it. On that cross, He felt anxious, guilty, and alone. Hear the heaviness of His heart in His prayer:

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" - Matthew 27:46

Christ was feeling the distance from God that sin brings. But God never abandoned Jesus. He sent His precious Son to do what had to be done in order to give us life. Christ paid the price for our sin and bore the full wrath of God on the cross - the judgement due your sin and my sin - and said, "IT IS FINISHED." And 3 days later, when God raised His Son from the dead, He declared His power over death and His victory over sin.

And the beauty of it all is that He did it FOR YOU. He went through all of this for one reason: because God truly, madly, deeply loves you. Don't miss this. Don't be distracted by egg dying, chocolate bunnies, or easter baskets. Remember the hope and unconditional love this holiday represents and share that love with others!

This Sunday, we will not be having our usual Sunday morning youth services. We want you to spend this Holiday with your family at church, worshipping together and remembering the sacrifice of our loving Savior. Enjoy the day with your family, and we'll see you next week!