“It is finished” came the cry from Jesus on the cross (John 19:30). His earthly ministry over. His life spent. His mission complete.
“He is risen” was the message to his followers just a few days later (Matthew 28:5-7). Death defeated. Life transformed. Eternity open for all who come to him.
It’s the wonderful story of Easter. The core of the Christian faith. The “stumbling block” to so many who see the resurrection as foolish (1 Corinthians 1:23). The hope of all who truly believe. It’s the story of a Messiah come to progress God’s good plans for the world. It’s the pinnacle of salvation history. For us, it’s a source of freedom and one worth meditating on afresh this Easter – because its benefits can impact us in extraordinary ways.
Freedom from sin
What hope for the guilty – sins washed away. There truly is “no more condemnation” for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Forgiveness for that act about which we feel so very ashamed. Forgiveness for those words spoken with such ill effect. Forgiveness for those inclinations and attitudes we no longer remember but dishonour God to the core. Rinsed away. Gone. And us, washed “whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). Really, if we are in Christ, we are clean – absolutely no stain remains. When Satan accuses, we can rebuff him with the reminder that Jesus did not miss out any of his children or leave any corner of our life uncleansed. What comfort for those who know their rebellious heart.
Freedom from shame
What hope for the shamed – those who feel tainted by the evil done to them. Pain will always impact us, we are not immune to the effects of this fallen world. But, at the cross, Jesus made sure the things done to us do not have to trap us and leave us dirty and alone. At the cross, he “disarmed the powers and principalities” of this world (Colossians 2:15). He made a spectacle of them. The powers of evil and the acts they inspired no longer have the ability to define who we are. It may take time, but we can be free. What comfort for those who know the pain of evil inflicted upon them.
Freedom to be who we are designed to be
What hope for the confused – now, a sure and certain identity in Christ. No longer outcasts, or having to navigate the seas of uncertainty alone, but a promise for those who follow Jesus that we are “in Christ” (Ephesians 1). It’s a core identity. A permanent identity. One that shouts, ‘you are chosen, you are called, you are adopted, you are welcome, and you are loved.’ As those benefiting from Jesus’ work on the cross, we can be sure we have value because we are our Father’s precious children – we can be sure we have purpose because we are now part of his kingdom work. It is impossible for a Christian to be unloved and useless. What comfort for those who struggle to see themselves right.
Freedom from the tyranny of law
What hope for those burdened by rule-keeping – those whose every waking moment is dominated by striving to do more, be more, or atone for their own shortcomings in some way. Instead of striving, we are given the gift of acceptance and peace. We can come to see that the law is “powerless” to save (Romans 8:4). In our flesh we can never do and be all that is necessary to earn God’s favour. But instead we have a gift of redemption – the assurance of his love. There are no more burdens to carry. No list of regulations to keep. His commitment – his covenant – is strong. What comfort for those who are plagued by the weight of rules and law.
Freedom to belong
What hope for the outcast and lonely. What beauty for those who yearn to be part of a community of love. The church in this world is far from perfect but within it there are many brothers and sisters – people with whom we are united by “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). People with whom we share lives, not just the gospel – people with whom we can give and receive encouragement day by day. The church invisible is even better, in heaven there is a “cloud of witnesses”, people who have gone before (Hebrews 12:1). In eternity, there will be a throng gathered around Jesus’ throne where we will worship together in Spirit and in truth. All knowing the wonder of being indwelt by the Spirit. All having the privilege of a close walk with the Lord. What comfort for those who feel alone today.
Freedom to grow
What hope for those who feel stuck. That besetting sin – that intractable situation – that doubt and despair that settles so easily. Those things are not how life has to be. There are no quick fixes, we walk behind our Shepherd slowly until we reach the victory feast (Psalm 23). Progressive sanctification is just that, progressive. But our stories are not over. God is still working his purposes out. And there is hope. Hope of change. Hope of perseverance. Hope as we come to one who loves us for the help we need. Hope as the Spirit “brings to completion the good work he has begun” (Philippians 1:6). Hope as we take off our old self, put on our new and have our minds renewed (Ephesians 4:22-24). What comfort for those who worry that nothing can ever change.
Along the way, the cross brings freedom to speak to the Lord, freedom to seek justice that honours the Lord, freedom to cry out to the Lord, freedom to use our gifts to serve the Lord, freedom to persevere in the Lord, freedom to live life in obedience to the Lord, freedom to suffer for the Lord. The list goes on. Not all of it is easy. But every freedom is a precious gift from the one who sacrificed so much for us. So, this Easter let’s recall afresh our freedom:
It is over! He is risen! We are free!
