Beneath the cross, His mother watched through her tears as her Son yelled in agony. Next to her was the disciple whom Jesus loved-his cousin John. He saw it all.

The Roman guards who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross were watching. The crowds who called for his blood watched with morbid curiosity, but not His heavenly Father. He turned His back on Jesus as he shook from sin's death blow.

Joseph of Arimathaea took his limp, blood stained body from the cross and placed him in his tomb. They sealed the tomb with a stone and posted Roman guards to protect his remains with their own lives if necessary.

The crowd dissipated. The night fell; the Sabbath came and Jesus was dead. It was a bleak moment. Hopeless? Despondent? Confused?

But we know the end of the story, don't we? Jesus burst through death, holding the keys to death and hell in His nail-scarred hand. Death could not keep its bony fingers around our Lord; the Father would not leave Him in the grave. He arose! And when he did, He made new life possible to all who believe. 

Paul wrote: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9 KJV)

We have a choice. We can trust in our God who provides and believe that He raised Jesus from the dead and experience eternal life. Or we can take the death blow upon ourselves and our children.

Do you believe the Easter story? Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead? If you do, there is only one other thing you must do to have eternal life-you must confess Him as your Lord. Are you ready? Why not do so right now?

Read the sermon that corresponds to this devotional.