We count down to Christmas and then again to Easter. We think about the birth of our Savior and then we look to the Cross as the place where the sacrifice of our eternity, the payment for what we could never pay for is made.
Before our Savior arrives to pay the debt for us all, we follow him through many moments, many stops along the way and find ourselves at the last supper before that moment in the Garden when all the weight of what is coming upon him is reaching the human and flesh part of him.
We rejoice when the resurrection is realized, death has been overcome, the sin which we were drowning in was taken care of for all eternity. Jesus Christ had it marked paid in full stamping not in ink, but in his blood shed for us all.
Easter celebration comes, we rejoice that he has risen by a response when we hear those words we reply, Risen indeed ! We share our smile and our joy, we worship and praise and reflect upon this moment and how it changes lives then and now and forever.
Then comes the day after and the days after. Our focus on this moment may fade and the world comes back into view. We don’t really think about those next 40 days when Jesus was setting up his final part of the journey of payment with his ascension to be at the right hand of the Holy Father, given all authority over heaven, earth and below the earth.
In the Gospel of John we read the scripture found in John 3:16;
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Many stop at that point, but John who also wrote the book of Revelation to tell us the rest of the story to come, imparts in the next verse a look at why in John 3:17 when he informed us;
17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Then in John 3:18 he put a recap on what was most important for us all to place in our hearts and help us when we share the Gospel Message;
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
We look at an empty Cross, and we don’t often think about what was done there, we don’t see the nails of the payment method used to take away the sins we have promoted in our own lives. We don’t look and see there is an empty tomb to show us that Jesus overcame what we would never be able to do for ourselves.
Before that day of his crucifixion he spoke these words in John 16:33;
33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
So the tough work has been completed, now we as the believers have the easier task, to share the good news of the Gospel message. To help one another by doing what Jesus told us as his new commandment in John 13:34:
34. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
There are at least 21 verses in the New Testament that tell us those words, to Love One Another. We show that Love by sharing, caring and giving.
My art is my God given way for sharing, because I care that you have the Love of GOD in you through Jesus Christ and when you give, then you fulfill other scriptures as well.
Let me share the Gospel message with you by clicking this symbol of the Cross below.
If you need prayer then send a request by clicking the word prayer.
Also if you would be interested in some of my art, then go to the New Art section and see what is available.
Don’t let Christmas and Easter be the only time you focus on GOD through Jesus Christ and the Cross. In Matthew’s Gospel we see what Jesus Christ stated in Matthew 22:36-40:
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Focus on GOD through Jesus Christ, daily. If you will give GOD the focus, he will show you the reason he created you and if you commit your works to him, he will place the thoughts in your heart so you know what you should be accomplishing in your life.
God Bless and may his face shine upon you,
Artist Sharon Smith
My Cross Illuminated Art 