Easter Sunday has passed; the resurrection was celebrated fourteen days ago, and now, we are walking through the season of Eastertide.  This is a season of fifty days, from Jesus’ resurrection from the grave until His ascension back to heaven.  Today is April 15, tax day for Americans, but more importantly, today is day fourteen in Eastertide, and as such, this is a wonderful day to contemplate The Greatness and Matchless Grace of God.

In the Word of God, one can read so many passages that speak this truth.  Today, let us ponder the penned words of Isaiah the prophet of God who was sent to speak truth to the children of Israel.

The time period is 739-681 BC, and the prophet Isaiah has been called to speak to the kingdom of Judah, who was being threatened by the nations of Assyria and Egypt.  Isaiah has been called by God to speak to the Israelites, who claim to be “believers” but are not because they do not obey God.  They look to the world as if they are believers, but they have wickedness in their hearts.  Isaiah says:  Turn to the Lord with all your hearts, turn from your wicked ways and thoughts, and turn back to God for forgiveness and healing.  Just as in Isaiah’s day, we need to hear his words today, to contemplate God’s Amazing Grace.

• Many might proclaim, the children of Israel were unfaithful in their belief, one moment following God, while at the next moment following their own strength.
• Many might proclaim, these ancient ones are not like modern-day believers.
• Many might proclaim, but today, consider the question:  How often do you and I feel we must earn God’s love by the actions we do, by doing the “right” things, speaking the “right” words, or even striving to think the “right” thoughts?

Can we EARN God’s love?

Do we truly trust God with our faith in Jesus?

“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,

Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” (The Book of Isaiah 40: 22 NASB)

• God is enthroned ABOVE the earth.
• God is vaulted ABOVE mankind.
• We are BELOW, like tiny grasshoppers.
• We are BELOW the heavens.
• We are BELOW God’s mighty dwelling place.

As we walk in this season of life, moving from the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, may we pause to focus on God’s Amazing Grace.  By His grace, we are made perfect, we are strengthened, we are established, and we are given eternal life—LIFE LIKE THE DEATHLESS LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST.

• He died, taking our place, paying our penalty for our sins.
• He made the way for us to come to know God.
• He stands in the gap, making it possible for humanity to be saved.

JESUS DOES!

Because we are saved by His love; since we are redeemed by His mercy; and due to HIS AMAZING GRACE, we are called to die daily to our own sinful nature, to take up our cross, and to follow Him.

We do not deserve the many privileges we have received by our faith, but we do deserve the full punishment for our sins.  Yet, by HIS GRACE, CHRIST JESUS PAID THE PRICE!

By dying on the cross—in our place—the penalty for our sins has been paid.

By rising from the grave, we receive eternal life that Christ has made possible—for us.

We can trust Him with our faith, fully realizing that we can do nothing to earn our salvation.

JESUS DID IT ALL ON CALVARY’S CROSS!

Thus, today is a wonderful day to contemplate The Greatness and Matchless Grace of God.