• His Life Exchanged For Yours

    By: Kristen L. McNulty



    Around this time of year we hear a lot of talk about eggs and bunnies, but we also hear a lot of talk about Someone named Jesus who was sentenced to death, then brutally nailed to a cross. There are some who hear that story and embrace the truth and freedom that comes from following the One who died for their sins. But then there are others who hear the message and think "it can't be". Are you one of those people? You don't doubt that it's true that God sent His son to earth to die for the sins of His people, but somewhere deep down inside you doubt that He was thinking of you when He made that choice. Maybe you've done a lot of bad things and you think there's no way that you can come back from that. Or maybe you've never known unconditional love before and doubt there is such a thing. Allow me to share a story with you.

    On December 14, 1878 it was announced that Princess Alice of England passed away from diphtheria. Tragic yes, but at the time it was hardly out of the ordinary. That is, until the whole story of her death came out. You see Princess Alice was in good health but her daughter was not. Her little girl was gravely ill with diphtheria and the doctor told the princess that she was in no uncertain terms not to kiss her daughter because by doing so she would endanger her own life by contracting the disease.

    But as her daughter was struggling to breathe, Princess Alice ignored the warning and instead took her daughter into her arms. As her daughter fought for her life she asked her Mother for a kiss and without thinking of herself, Princess Alice kissed her daughter. As a result she contracted diphtheria herself and died a few days later.

    Maybe you're hearing this story and you can understand the kind of love that would cause a mother to selflessly comfort her daughter even to the point of risking death. But what I'm here to tell you is it's that same kind of love, only magnified, that God has for you. He exchanged His life for yours!

    The truth of what Easter is all about is this: God knew you and I were born into sin and He knew that unless He intervened we would die in our sin, forever separated from Himself and His love. And He wouldn't hear of it. So He sent Jesus to this earth and to the cross to exchange His life for yours and for mine. That's the message of Easter. Not that you need to be good enough, none of us could possibly be and that's the point in itself. That despite our sin and our mistakes and our foolishness, God loves us and He wants to bridge the gap between us and Him. And that's all done in the person of Jesus.

    And the good news is Jesus didn't just die. Three days later He rose again and paved the way for eternal life with God for all those who would choose to accept the gift. So let's get real, right here and right now. Will you accept it? He doesn't force it on us, the choice is all up to us. So what are you going to choose?

    If you'd like to accept the gift that God is offering, the forgiveness of your sins and a life filled with a connection with Him I invite you to pray this prayer:

    Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying for me. I know that I've messed up and I'm asking you to forgive me of my sin. Come into my heart and make it Yours. Renew me in Your image and help me to live my life connected to you everyday. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
    If you just prayed that prayer with me, heavens throwing a party because the bible tells us all of heaven rejoices when someone repents. That means right now God is rejoicing over the decision you just made. Incredible isn't it? If you'd like to know more about building a relationship with God and where to go from here, please email me kristen@madradioshow.net.

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

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