Because of Him

As I have pondered this Easter celebration, I thought about what Jesus Christ did for all of us, and what it means for me personally.

Before Him, there was darkness, fear, despair, anguish, and torment of soul. We were trapped by the consequences of our choices while in this mortal sphere. Until He came and broke the bands of death, we would never be able to return to our Heavenly Father. Darkness, fear, and pain were all we had...

But He did come! He showed us the pathway home by how He lived - perfectly obedient to the will of His Father - of OUR Father. Because He came and fulfilled His mission, we can be forgiven for our mistakes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Because He came and atoned for us - because He gave Himself as a ransom for us, we can be washed clean. He died and was resurrected, breaking the bands of death.

The greatest message ever shared was shared by the angels at the Lord's empty tomb: "He is not here; for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." *Matthew 28: 6*

What JOY!!!  What WONDER!!!  From grief and despair came hope, joy, peace, and awe! He who was dead, lived again!!!

"This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday - we celebrate life! Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death and embrace those we love, shedding tears of overwhelming joy and overflowing gratitude. Because of Jesus Christ, we will exist as eternal beings, worlds without end. Because of Jesus Christ, our sins can not only be erased; they can be forgotten. We can become purified and exalted. Holy. Because of our beloved Savior, we can forever drink from the fountain of water that springs up into eternal life. We can dwell forever in the mansions of our eternal King, in unimaginable glory and perfect happiness" * Deiter F. Uchtdorf*

Because He lives; everyone I love and value most in this life will be mine throughout eternity. I get to live with those I love in an eternal family - because of Him. 

"His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." *The Living Christ - The Testimony of the Apostles*