THINKING ALLOWED...

This March we have been focusing on the crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is emotional and traumatic to think of what was done to our Savior. It is appalling to think of the lies and deceit by people who call themselves the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. It is frightening to think of how quickly the crowd changed from praising and following after Jesus as the Christ to cursing, ridiculing, and rejecting him as a common criminal. However, it is so like us. It was so natural for the people of Jesus’ day and it remains so natural for us today. One day we are praising and praying in church. One day the hallelujahs are flowing freely from our tongues and then the next week, day, hour, or moment, we are the intimate acquaintances of sin. When we make sin our friend, we make God our enemy.

So now, we know the need for the cross. Now we understand that the horror of the cross was necessary so that you and I could be free from the penalty of sin, so that you and I could even attempt to live above the consequences of our sin. Jesus made it all possible. He provided forgiveness. He bore our sins on the cross. He in fact became sin on your behalf and mine. We deserved the horrible death, but Jesus died—not you or me. Thank you, Redeemer, Savior, Friend!

The power of the cross lies in March 31 of this year, Easter. The power of the cross is found in the resurrection of the one who forgives. Because he died in our place and showed himself Lord over death, Hell, and the grave, the Bible and the personal experience of millions over the ages proclaims, because He lives I live. The Story of the Bible is the Story of Jesus. Plan to celebrate His Story all year long with us at Hilldale. Plan to live His Story all year long through the ministries of Hilldale. Plan to tell your Story as a part of His Story because of what he did for you when he died on the cross and because of what he does in you now as a result of his resurrection.
You will find a multitude of opportunities available for you to grow and to serve in our CONNECT newsletter this month. Stay connected to God, to people, and to ministry. You will never regret letting God change your life through the cross and the resurrection.

Telling the Story with you,