We Are a Part of the Easter Story
A devotional by Alicia Searl
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (NIV)
This beloved verse gets to the heart of our faith, portraying three key points:
Point #1: God loves His creation.
Point #2: God sacrificed His Son to save us from a fallen world.
Point #3: God gives us a choice in this life.
Easter isn’t only a story about a sinless man that lived a perfect life and died on a wooden cross. He (Jesus Christ) wasn’t just a man that loved others and performed miracles—He was the miracle for us! When we dig into the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…all books in the Bible), we discover that this story is the most powerful story of all time. It’s a story wrapped in hope and healing, grace and truth, and where sin meets beautiful redemption.
Jesus painstakingly suffered on that cross because it was all a strategic plan from God. It showed and encompassed His very nature. His righteousness. His wrath and judgement. His ultimate, unfailing, and sacrificial love. Sadly, it also depicted our human nature that is bound by cruelty and worldly transgressions. Satan tried to win. But Easter shines a light in the midst of darkness.
Acts 4:11-12 (CSB) tells us, “This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” According to John 14:6, Jesus Christ is the only way to God. There is no other way to be saved in God’s Kingdom.
Jesus came in human form to save us from this harsh world and our own sinful flesh to flip the script and rewrite the story—our story. We celebrate Easter and honor our Savior because it isn’t just any story; it is a story where we have the opportunity to be a main character. Jesus is inviting us to play a crucial role and continue to share His righteousness, love, and truth with a lost and broken world.
The Easter season is a time when we have the distinct honor of celebrating the Author and Creator of this life. The One who writes our story and uses it to whisper hope, weave in healing, and project truth to everyone He places in our lives. Our purpose this side of heaven is simple: Love God by loving others.
We love others by sharing the powerful, true story of Easter! Christ’s life shows us how to love. His death gives us a pathway to redemption. His resurrection proves that He is not of man, but of God. If Jesus didn’t resurrect on that glorious third day, we would have no hope of an eternal life. We would be bound by our sins. Forgiveness wouldn’t matter. We would never be reunited with loved ones. Our testimony and confessions of faith would be pointless. Yet, Jesus rising from the grave is the pivotal plot twist that allows us to share the story of a man that led a devoted life, humbly walked the long and treacherous road to calvary, endured brutal beatings and was executed on a cross in shame on purpose for all of mankind! The Son of Man defeated death, so we don’t have to (Romans 6:23).
That is the hope we carry. May love and faithfulness never leave us (Proverbs 3:3) as we cling to the greatest story ever told, all while holding our head high knowing that we have the privilege of being a part of it!
Let’s Pray: Oh, beautiful Savior, how can we come before You with gracious hearts and even begin to truly understand the gravity and magnitude of Your love? Your story that weaves unwavering and unconditional love and grants us a pathway to peace and eternity is something we do not want to ever take for granted. Give us a way to share Your story with others and testify about how You have impacted our life. We long to give You glory this Easter, Lord. In Your Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Song of Reflection #1: “Because He Lives (Amen)” by Matt Maher. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “My Redeemer Lives” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #4: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Alicia Searl is a Christian author, writer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about sharing God’s Word to spread hope and healing.
She is a contributing writer for iBelieve, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and Your Daily Prayer. She has authored two devotionals, several Bible studies, a children’s book and coloring book top comfort grievers.
When she isn't writing her heart on a page, she enjoys sipping an oat milk latte while soaking in a bit of peace on her back porch swing. Otherwise, she is playing house with her rowdy little family of five or handing a hammer to her hubby for their next DIY project.
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Connect with Alicia:
Website: https://www.aliciasearl.com/
Blog: https://www.aliciasearl.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciasearlwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSearlWrites
Email: alicia.searl@gmail.com
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