“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?…were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?…were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?…were you there when He rose up from the grave?!” (American Folk Hymn)

Where you there?

Simon was - passing by - things to do - too busy to get involved.  But was stopped and ordered to carry Jesus’ cross - Jesus changed his life forever!

Mary Magdalene was -  life full of sin - beyond human help.  Jesus healed her

 and changed her life forever!

Peter was - denied Jesus in action and words, but Jesus restored him and changed his life forever!

John was - from apostle to the caregiver of Jesus’ mother - eventually alone on an island, but Jesus changed his life forever!

Centurion was there - just doing his job - a rough and tough soldier of Rome -

Jesus changed his life forever!

Mother of Judas - her son betrayed Jesus.  Jesus echoed from the cross “father forgive them.”  “My Judas too?!” -  Cyborea was her name.  And though nameless in scripture - Jesus changed her life!

Where you there?

Yes, you were and so was I!  Our sins and the sins of the whole world were there, past, present and future.  Jesus died because of the sins of mankind - “all have sinned” the Bible says, that is why we need a savior.  “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Paul said “for I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15)

The bible says “…these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (Jn 20)

I pray that Easter doesn’t just come and go, but that you experience Easter as maybe never before - Jesus can change your life too!

Pastor Rodney