Behold The Lamb

Week of April 11, 2025

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NKJV)    

As we approach Easter, we find ourselves caught in the tension between grief and glory - between the blood-stained cross and the hope of the resurrection. And right in the center of that tension stands Jesus, the Lamb.

John the Baptist declared those words, “Behold The Lamb of God.” Every lamb sacrificed at Passover, every drop of blood on ancient altars, all of it was a shadow of what was coming. But now, in the final week before the resurrection, that which was a shadow become substance. The Lamb of God arrives to die for the sins of humanity.

What does that mean for us? It means sin has been accounted for. It means judgment has passed over you. It means death has lost its claim.

This week, we remember the cross was not a failure – it was a fulfillment. He laid down His life as part of the divine plan set in motion before the world began. Let’s reflect on how His sacrifice affects the way we live today.  

God Bless, Pastor Rick

The Shadow Before the Celebration

Week of April 4, 2025

“He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV)       

Soon, we will celebrate Easter. Churches will be full of people and “He is Risen” will ring from pulpits. But before we get to that celebration, we must not overlook the shadow of the cross and the road that led our Savior there. We want resurrection without sacrifice, but that is to miss the weight of what Jesus endured and the depths of His love. Before the victory of the resurrection, there was the cry of abandonment: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus didn’t suffer so we could have a moment of celebration once a year. He bore the weight of our sin so that we could be forgiven and free. A price was paid for that.

This Easter, let the shadow of the cross remind us of His love. Let it stir a deeper commitment to serve the Lord. As we approach Easter, don’t just prepare for a service – prepare your heart. Reflect on the cross, so when we celebrate the resurrection, it is with the awareness of what it cost.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

The Road to the Cross

Week of March 28, 2025

“Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,” Luke 9:51 (NKJV)

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we must remember that Jesus was intentional about His journey to the cross. Luke tells us that He set His face toward Jerusalem. He knew what awaited Him - betrayal, suffering, and death – yet He walked forward in obedience to the Father’s will.

This is a reminder that following Christ requires a steadfast heart. There are times in our lives when obedience to God is difficult when the path ahead is uncertain. But just as Jesus trusted the Father’s plan, we can trust that God is working all things for His glory and our good.

As Easter draws near, take time to reflect:

• Are there areas in your life where God is calling you to greater obedience?

• Should you align your heart more fully with His will?

• Are there distractions that are pulling you away from your walk with Christ?

Like Jesus, set your heart on the things of God. Each day this week, surrender an area of your life to Christ. Resolve to walk in obedience to Christ, just as He did on His way to Jerusalem.

God Bless, Pastor Rick