The chapter this week is titled, “The Hour of Darkness.” Winston will be speaking on the hours leading up to the dark time of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. It’s important for us to be reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf because it is life altering. But, if the story ended with Christ’s death and no resurrection, the Apostle Paul says that we should be the most pitied people in all humanity.

You mean more than those that have to beg for what they need? Yes. What about those that are stuck in the snare of addiction? Definitely. And what about those that just don’t care what happens to the world, as long as they get what they want when the want it? Absolutely! We should be the most pitied of all since our hope would be built on a lie of Jesus rising from the dead.

But, you see, Easter is coming. Yes, the hour of Darkness was terrible and overwhelming, but it was necessary. Without that dark time and Jesus’ willingness to be our substitute, Easter’s resurrection wouldn’t have made an impact. But when the death, burial and resurrection are put together, we see the climax of God’s plan that began with Adam and Eve’s sin - the restoration of a perfect relationship with men and women whom He loves.

Do you know someone that could benefit from hearing this Good News? Easter would be a good time to invite them. In a survey, LifeWay Research discovered that 20% of adults were undecided as to whether they would go to an Easter worship service or not. (And even more interesting, they found that over 40% of adults who identify as Christians won’t be attending an Easter service.)

Scott McConnell of LifeWay says, “As one in five Americans keeps their options open, Christians have no reason to be shy about asking friends to join them for an Easter service." Jen and I made two different invitation cards to help you invite others (they are on the table in the foyer). God has laid on my heart to share the Easter story through the eyes of a fully-clad, Roman centurion. I am praying that it will be a message that will be understandable for all and for us to truly realize how much God loves us.

​Ivan

Hi Parents!
I always struggle when studying the crucifixion. I can not imagine the pain or the apprehension (Jesus knew what was coming and even looked for another way). And then to remember the pain of the flogging and cross was NOTHING compared to the pain of the weight of my sin and the separation from the Father that it caused.

Each week I read from a companion book titled Exploring the Story by Adam T. Barr. He says some things in this chapter I'd like to share. I think you'll find each interesting.

Finally...
In all of this, however, we must not forget that Jesus was not a helpless victim but a determined hero. In Gethsemane, he had made his intentions clear: "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). We must not forget that, ultimately, the hands of the Roman soldiers were wielded by God himself, placing on Jesus the punishment our sins deserved. And in his death, Jesus secured his crown, having won for himself a people to call his own! (page 147)
Enough said? Please read this chapter with your children and help them understand just how much Jesus loves the little children (Teens too!).

Blessings!
Mr. Chuck 

Today, we looked at Christ's statements about Himself, specifically the ones that He began with "I AM" in the book of John. Jesus asked a crucial question of His disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They answered Him, but He pressed further, "Who do you say that I am?" That is the most crucial question for us a humans because the answer to it means life or death. How would you answer it?
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Now, if Jesus were asked, "Who do you say that I am?" regarding us, He would be able to answer without any hesitation. And His answer means complete life for us.

Who does Jesus say that I am?
 
 I am valuable and worth being loved. While I was deep in sin, despising God Himself, Jesus died for me (Romans 5:8). God loves me intensely (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).
 
I have been forgiven and freed from the shackles of sin (Ephesians 1:7, John 8:36). I am holy and totally blameless before God (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16). And nothing can ever change this! (Romans 8:38-39)
 
I am no longer condemned before God because of what Jesus did for me (Romans 8:1). Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
 
I am a new person and a completely new creation. The old me is gone and God has made me again, completely holy in His eyes! (2 Corinthians 5:17) My old self was crucified with Jesus so that sin would no longer dominate me or make me its slave (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:1). Since I am now born of God, Satan can’t touch me because God protects me (1 John 5:18). And whether I realize it or not, I am a saint before God (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2).
 
I am a friend of Jesus (John 15:15). I was chosen by Him before the world even began! (Ephesians 1:4)
 
I am a child of God (John 1:12). And if I am His child, that means I am no longer a slave. I am His heir and have been born into a royal lineage! (Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7)
 
I have been made exactly the way God wants me to be. God gave me life and made me in His own image (Genesis 2:7, 1:27). He knew me even before I was even formed and even knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13, 16). How wonderfully I am made! (Psalm 139:14) I am God’s handiwork, created in Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).