He Didn't Stay Because of the Nails: An Easter Blog

   At camp YoliJwa during some weeks in the summer they have a night where you focus on your relationship with Jesus. One time, when I was there, they had a cross. You wrote on a piece of paper a sin you felt had a hold of you, or you couldn't let go, then you took a nail and nailed it to the cross. It kind of gives a new meaning to my sin is "nailed to the cross and I bear it no more."

   You may be thinking, "well that's exactly what the song says. We are nailing our sins to the cross." You're right; you are nailing your sins to the cross. But, if you forget the message of the cross you lose the whole meaning of nailing your sins to the cross.

   Imagine being there the day that Jesus was killed. Imagine you taking the hammer, grabbing the nail, lining up the nail to go through his hand, and then pounding the nail into his hand. Many of us don't want to imagine that because it's gross, I know I don't like blood so I'm in the same boat. But, in essence, that's exactly what we all did.

   No, we were not physically at the cross when Jesus died; but, Jesus stayed on the cross for our sins. Jesus could have called it all off. He is God. He could have said, "this is too much. These people are not worth it." Instead, he stayed. He stayed because of my sins. He stayed because of your sins. He stayed so we could be with him in heaven. He stayed because he loved us so much and wants to be with us forever.

   This Easter, I encourage you to think about what Jesus did for you. Think about how your sin held Jesus on the cross. Think about how much he loves you. Thank him for what he did for you.

   Image from here.