The Important Part

Easter and Christmas are about Jesus. There isn't much point in having Christmas without Easter. The reason Christ came was to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That happened, for those who are in Christ, over Easter. Unfortunately, this seems ridiculous to a lot of people these days. Most people seem to be under the impression that they are good people, and that when they die being a 'good person' will get them into Heaven. Or, they simply do not talk about dying, like it doesn't happen to, you know, everybody. Or, people say ridiculous things like all religions are the same and everybody goes to Heaven. I'll start at the end first. All religions cannot be the same because Christianity is exclusive. Jesus says very clearly that he is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6). If Jesus is the only way, all religions cannot be true. Either Christianity is correct and Jesus is the only way - making it impossible that all religions are true, or Christianity is false - making it impossible that all religions are true. As far as the 'good person' argument goes, God calls us to an impossibly high standard - perfection. Not one of us meets this standard - but there is one who did meet it for us. Here is a quick little test to see what an impossibly high standard we are to meet: Ask yourself if you have ever wanted something that somebody else has - house, car, job, money, body, age, family, intelligence, etc. Ever. If you have, then you are guilty of coveting (Exodus 20:17, Romans 3:23), and you fall short of the standard that God calls each of us to. You have offended an infinite eternal God, and that God says the penalty is not good. It is an infinite and eternal penalty. Fortunately, God has lovingly given us two options here: 1. Receive and follow Christ who has paid the price for you, freely. 2. Pay the infinite eternal price yourself. There is no third option. That is it. Jesus pays or you do.

This often sounds very harsh to people. Below in the 'not important part' are tons of pictures of our little girl that we absolutely love. I do not love you enough to let our child die in your place. God does love you enough to let His child die in your place. He already has. It is the whole Easter message. It is crazy. But even crazier, would be to reject God's Son and pay the price yourself.

If for whatever reason any of this is new to you or does not make sense to you, I highly recommend a book called Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.

The Not Important Part

Lydia had a ton of fun this week swinging, climbing the stairs to our house, going to the Kids Museum with her best friend Eden, and going on an Easter egg hunt with Grandma. Here are photos of the week.

Happy Easter!