Easter Devotionals – He is Risen
The Proclamation

As Jesus hung upon the cross He was in excruciating physical pain. But the Father added to this pain, not physically, but spiritually when He laid upon Him all of our sins. And since the Lord cannot look upon sin, for the first time before time even began there was a separation between the Father and the Son.

And so there upon the cross Jesus cried out, “‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.’” (Matthew 27:46)

These were the prophetic words written by King David of this very event.

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?” (Psalm 22:1)

The prophet Isaiah foretold the reason Jesus had to die in this manner.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus was in physical and spiritual agony as He hung upon the cross taking upon Himself the sins of the world. This was God’s plan.

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin … And He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:10, 12b).

But as in all sacrifices a death is required. As Jesus was taking His final breath, He proclaimed for all to hear, “‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)

With those words Jesus was proclaiming that once and for all the final sacrifice for humanity’s sins had been made.

The writer of Hebrews said, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)