The Darling of Heaven crucified on Earth for us. If they had known they were crucifying the Mesiah, they would not have done it. But it had to happen for the plan of God to play out and restore our relationship to Him. Jesus had to die to rise again and live forever. The plan of God is simple, yet unbelievable to many. Those who choose to believe, gain eternal life. The ones who reject His plan of salvation, gain eternal death which is separation from God forever.
Let’s answer the many questions that rise in our minds when we hear this amazing story and God’s plan of restoration.
How did we lose our relationship with God?
God created Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:26-27) in His own image which meant He gave the will to choose Him or not. This is the main difference between animals and humans. Adam and Eve represent humanity. God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and told them they could eat everything “except the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die” (Gen. 2:16). But they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:5-6). In that instant, they sinned and the relationship with God was broken.
What are we being saved from?
The penalty for sin is death (Romans 1:33). Before Jesus came, the Jews, God’s chosen people, had to sacrifice pure animals. And by offering their blood, their sins were cleansed. They obtained God’s forgiveness for their sins. Therefore, we are saved from death. “For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us” (Romans 3:25).
Why do we need to be saved?
Death as the penalty for sin is not only physical death but spiritual death which is eternal separation from God. Therefore, God devised the plan of salvation to restore our relationship with Him. We could then choose to be with Him in heaven forever. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” (John 3:16-17)
So, what is the plan?
God gave Moses the ten commandments for His people to follow but they couldn’t. They kept failing so God promised them a Savior, the Messiah. And He then sent Jesus, His only Son, the Darling of Heaven. He sent prophets over thousands of years that told the people to prepare for the arrival of Jesus, Emmanuel. He sent John the Baptist to proclaim the imminent arrival and asked people to repent of their sins (Luke 3:3).
As Jesus started his ministry the last three years of his life on earth, people started following him. His ministry grew to the point that the religious people of the times (Pharisees and Sadducees) hated Jesus for that. They feared losing their popularity and control over the people. Therefore, they rejected Jesus and crucified Him. It is interesting to note that the simple people chose to follow Jesus. But the religious people, those with prestige, the ones that looked like they were following the law, rejected Him.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied in detail the entire process of how Jesus would die (Isaiah 53). “But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief.” (Isaiah 53:10) Because Jesus was rejected by the Jews, God opened the plan of salvation to all other people, the Gentiles, us. “The Gentiles have been made right with God by faith even though they were not seeking him” (Romans 9:30).
What do we have to do to be saved?
Repent of our sins, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and confess to others our decision. “The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart. For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved… Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.” (Romans 10:8-12)
What’s the catch?
There is no catch and there is no cost. Salvation is free and available to all who choose to believe in Jesus. “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free!... Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.” (Isaiah 55: 1-3)
Why did God do this plan and sent Jesus to save us?
All because of love. He loves YOU! And He would send Jesus again just for YOU!
Jesus appeared to John the disciple who wrote Revelation and told him: “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (Revelation 1:17-18)
If you have not given your life to Jesus, today is your day! What a better day than Easter when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He is alive and wants you to choose Him back so you can spend eternity with Him in heaven. Jesus is the Darling of Heaven crucified on Earth for us.