(The following story was borrowed and adapted from our pastor’s sermon this morning.)
The announcement that came over the store’s PA system is one that no dad in the world ever wants to hear. “We have a little boy who seems to have lost his daddy. He’s about 3 and a half feet tall, has red hair, and says his name is Red. If you’re his dad, please come to the customer service counter at once.”
Dad hears this as he is frantically looking for his son and goes to the customer service counter as fast as he can. Out of breath and almost at his wits end, he arrives to see little Freddy (the store’s security person thought his name was “Red” because his hair) waiting for him with the store manager. As soon as little Freddy sees daddy, he runs and jumps into his arms. And the expression on Dad’s face is one of overwhelming joy!
Well, that’s what Easter is all about. God’s one and only Son Jesus came to earth (that’s the Christmas Story), grew up and eventually gave his sinless life for anyone who would believe he’s the Son of God, to pay the penalty of eternal death for our sinful life by being executed on a common criminal’s cross. When I met Jesus many years ago after I returned from Vietnam, God Himself repeated the story of the little red haired boy as I figuratively came running and jumping into His outstretched arms. And, although I didn’t actually see his face then, I know that He had a big smile on His face, because I would literally be his adopted child forever!
If you have never read this amazing true story in the Bible, please take a look at the Easter Story (click on the link). If you have known this story and Jesus for many years, take a look at it again. The Lord will show you something new in it!
I hope you all had a great holiday this weekend. May God bless you this coming week!
