Thursday, April 24, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Acts 4

Easter is the greatest love story of all time. Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, left the presence of his beloved Father and the glory of heaven to show his love for us and save us from our sins.

Jesus came and turned the world upside down. His actions and heart were different from those of any other king. He was a humble servant. He didn’t require people to love and worship him; instead, he pointed them to God. He taught them about God’s amazing love and grace. He showed respect and kindness to the outcast, the sick, the hopeless, and the marginalized. Jesus healed the sick, the lame, and cast out demons. He loved people where they were at and encouraged them to obey God.

Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus didn’t come just to serve us. He came to save us from the sin separating us from our holy God. The only way to atone for sin is through sacrifice, and Jesus lovingly offered himself to pay the ransom. He came to die on the cross so we could be reconciled with God. Though Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God, was innocent, he was tried and found guilty of crimes he didn’t commit.

In Lisa Harper’s Bible Study, Luke: Gut Level Compassion, she eloquently summarizes from Jesus’ perspective why he died on the cross for us (page 174).

“I am about to go to the cross where I am going to be lifted up like a common criminal, because there is no way a sinful man can be reconciled to a holy God without my sacrificial blood. I want y’all to remember in the future, when you don’t have me in the flesh, when you can’t touch me, when you can’t see me in the future, I want you to remember that I brought my body because you're worth it to me. I let them pierce my wrists and my feet because you're worth it to me. I let my blood rain out because you're worth it to me.

YOU’RE WORTH IT TO ME! You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to earn it. You just have to accept it.”

Questions:
Why is Easter the greatest love story of all time?

How was Jesus different from any other king?

What does “you’re worth it” mean to you?

Next Steps:
Meditate on Lisa’s words. Think about the great pain Jesus endured and him saying, “I love you so much. You are worth it to me.”

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this is the perfect opportunity! Commit to giving him your life.

Prayer:
Jesus, I praise and worship you. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude and love for all you have done for me. You came to earth as a humble servant and showed love to everyone. You died a horrible and painful death to save me from my sins because I am worth it to you. Thank you. Help me to love others as you have loved me. Amen.

Theme Verse:

Ephesians 1:7
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

This post was written by Marsha Raymond, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.