THE SIMPLE GOSPEL: Before

The days seem to approach us faster and faster.

The time has changed where the sun sets later, the season of winter is ending and now spring is moving forward. Before we know it Easter will be here. Churches are preparing for their Easter services and some of us are preparing our best for that day. All the preparations for Easter are not bad things and there is no shame in that (I love the preparation for Easter.)

However, leading up to this should remind us of the WHY.

Why do we, as followers of Jesus Christ, do what we are called to do: Share the Gospel.

Jesus was intentional leading up to the most significant event in history. He counted the cost before carrying that cross – even before His death.

Because Jesus knew what was coming.

Jesus knew He would be betrayed by one of His own.

Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him.

Jesus knew that almost everyone would abandon Him.

Yet, Jesus was with them all during the Passover and shared,

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29

Jesus' body would be broken and His blood would be shed, but Jesus sharing this before His death reminds us that we have a new covenant in Christ!

Jesus would make a way for ALL to come boldly to the throne of God.

He didn’t give His disciples a to-do list, but a promise.

Jesus would fulfill the Father’s will and fulfill what the Word has said.

“For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” Luke 22:37

Jesus could have stopped what was happening at any moment leading up to His arrest. Even in the Garden Of Gethsemane, crying out to His Father, “if there is any other way, but if not Your will be done.”

“And He came out and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. And when He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:39-44

Jesus is fully God. But He was also human – just like us.

He felt agony to the point His sweat became droplets of blood. He would do whatever it would take for us to have a relationship with the Father, but how comforting it is that He also knows our pain?

He wasn’t immune to the physical or spiritual pain.

He didn’t take the easy way out.

Even when He was alone and all of His disciples fell asleep, He still felt frustration.

Yet, how comforting that even though He knows our pain, He did not leave us there. For He is the perfect sacrifice for us ALL.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Even when we mess up (and we will), Jesus still will give us the opportunity to come back to Him.

Jesus knew what was coming and He still paid the cost.

Imagine the disciples hearing all of these things that Jesus was telling them at the Last Supper and following Him to the Garden. Even some were falling asleep…

They had just heard the promise! How could they miss it?! His disciples may not have understood that moment with Him. It doesn’t tell us how they were all feeling, but we do know they loved the Lord – even with Peter sharing that He would always follow Jesus.

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:33-34

How many times have we been like Peter? How many times have we been like the Disciples? So much zealousness that we could not imagine denying Jesus, but then being caught off guard or embarrassed by our faith.

We have all been like Peter.

We have all been like the Disciples who fell asleep after hearing their Lord.

We have all been like Judas…because we all fall short of the glory of God.

“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3:22-25

We are all in desperate need of the Simple Gospel: That there is nothing we could do to save ourselves. It is only by Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins. And when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior of our lives, we have new life in Him.

Jesus found you worthy of the cost so that you can have a relationship with Him.

You are not far from God, because He made the way for YOU.

Yes, you.

Yes, Peter denied Jesus before His final judgment on the cross, but it would also be that same Peter who God called to be the rock of His church and establish the Church. (Matthew 16:8)

It would be the same disciples that fell asleep that would be sent to preach the Gospel to all the nations and give their lives for Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus did not come to save perfect people. He came to save broken people who need to be saved.

Jesus would soon be led to His arrest, betrayed by His own, and would soon be led to the cross.

Because He knew what was coming.

Jesus counted the cost, but will you?

For those who do not know Jesus, today is the day of salvation. Do not wait another moment to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life. (John 3:16-17)

My brothers and sisters in Christ, will you count the cost? Isn’t He worthy of it? Isn't one soul worth sharing the Good News?

The world is dark, and with recent headlines it will only be getting worse. There are people who do not know that there is hope. We don’t have to complicate it, but we get to share the Good News.

Because we know hope is coming.

Jesus came to save us.

Jesus came to free us of our sin.

Jesus came to give us new life in Him.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and there are no others before Him.

Jesus LOVES YOU.

Jesus knew Friday was coming and He knew Sunday was coming. His disciples did not know then, but when they did, everything changed.

Believers, we know what is coming, and may we go boldly and confidently to share Jesus is who He says He is.

~ Sarah Moon