Rooted Micro OFWB Youth

It’s Friday of Holy Week. The week that changed history. The week Jesus died for our sin so we could be saved, restored to God, and live eternally with Him in heaven. Early Friday morning after His arrest, Jesus was tried by the Jewish religious leaders and then by the Romans. The religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy and sentenced Him to death but could only kill someone with Roman approval. After Pilate tried to free Jesus, the Jews threatened to riot unless Jesus was crucified. So Pilate gave in and sent Jesus to the cross. Jesus was beaten, flogged, mocked, spit at, and laughed at. Jesus was almost killed during this time of intense torture. He couldn’t even carry His cross to the place of crucifixion because He was so weak.

On Friday of Holy Week, Jesus was nailed on the cross. He experienced separation from His Father and he took on the sins of the world. All the sins from before and all the sins that would come. My sins and your sins. He carried the weight of our shame and regret. He bore it all.

Jesus made a choice to enter into a period of incredible suffering, intense persecution, and separation from His Father to change the fate of humanity forever. At any point Jesus could have stopped the trials and tribulations. But he willingly chose to endure our sins so that we could be restored in our relationship with God. Jesus paid the ultimate and final price of sin forever on the cross. He chose to suffer for us to be saved. To receive salvation, freedom from sin, and eternal life in heaven, we have a simple choice to make. We must recognize we are sinners, believe Jesus died for our sins, and surrender our hearts to Him. A simple choice that will change your life for eternity. Are you ready to choose Jesus?

It’s Tuesday of Holy Week. The week that changed history. The week Jesus died for our sin so we could be saved, restored to God, and live eternally with Him in heaven. Jesus teaches in Jerusalem and confronts the hypocrisy and hardened hearts of the Pharisees and religious leaders like never before. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, meets with these leaders and agrees to betray Jesus and help the leaders arrest Him.

Holy Week is full of choices. Judas made a choice that altered the course of his life. He chose to turn against the teacher he had followed for the past 3 years. He chose to betray the Messiah who had performed miracles and healed many. We don’t know why Judas would make that choice. Maybe he thought he could force Jesus’ hand into being the earthly king the Jews thought would free them from Roman oppression. Maybe he was just greedy.

We often make choices that lead us away from God. We make decisions based on our own feelings instead of taking those decisions to God. I am guilty of this everyday. But how wonderful it is that we have a Savior who loves us despite this. Jesus died for our sins and there is nothing that can separate us from His love. Not any of our past choices. Not anything we have done or experienced will stop Jesus from loving us. If we recognize Him as our Savior and follow Him, Jesus erases all of our transgressions and draws us into an eternal relationship with Him that brings healing and restoration. Don’t let your misguided choices keep you from experiencing the love of our Risen Savior. Are you ready to choose Jesus?

Rooted Youth of all ages celebrated Easter this morning. We learned the story of Holy Week using Resurrection eggs then had an Easter egg hunt. What a blessing!