The Easter StorySample

Love Poured Out

Everything in the Easter story so far has been leading up to this moment.

Jesus was betrayed, arrested, beaten, and mocked, and then He carried His cross to the place of execution. The same crowd that had welcomed Him with palm branches watched as He stumbled under the weight of the wooden cross. And yet, even in His suffering, Jesus wasn’t defeated. Instead, He was fulfilling His purpose.

At Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to the cross and lifted up for the world to see. The innocent Son of God faced the death of a criminal. Jesus didn’t die for His own sins, because He had none. He died for ours. The weight of the world’s brokenness, the burden of sin, and the punishment we deserved were all placed on Him.

Even so, this wasn’t just an act of injustice—it was primarily an act of love. Even in His final moments, Jesus’ focus was on forgiveness toward His executioners:

... “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ... Luke 23:34 NIV

Then, after hours of agony, He cried out:

... “It is finished.” ... John 19:30 NIV

And with that, He gave up His spirit. As He did, something cosmic happened. The earth shook, the sky darkened, and the temple curtain tore in two. The barrier between God and humanity was broken. Sin was paid for. The way back to God was open.

Jesus’ death wasn’t an accident or a tragic defeat—it was the fulfillment of God’s rescue plan. On the cross, He took our place, bore our sins, and made a way for us to be forgiven. The love He displayed in that moment is the same love He offers to us today.

But the story isn’t over yet.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for taking my place and paying the price for my sin. Help me never to take Your sacrifice for granted. Teach me to love and forgive the way You do. Amen.

Challenge: Take time today to sit in the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice. Reflect on what it cost Him to set you free. Then, thank Him for His love, and consider how you can extend love and forgiveness to others.

For more on why Jesus had to die, check out this article about the gospel.