Then Jesus shouted out again, and He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus' resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"
Look at that first sentence again. He gave up His spirit. It wasn't taken from Him, or stolen, or beaten out of Him. He offered it up as a fragrant sacrifice for us. He gave it up because you and I were, and maybe still are, living in darkness, confusion, anger, bitterness or hopelessness and He just couldn't stand to see us like that any longer.
I see you sitting there. I see the look of disbelief on your face. You think that God couldn't possibly want someone like you. You think that you're too broken as you are, that you're too flawed. You think you're beyond His reach.
But I have some amazing news for you. Not a single one of us is too low for Him to reach. He's a God who will dirty Himself for you. He is a God who will become like you just so that He can understand how you feel and how you think. He is a God who will bleed for you. He will get down in the mud and grime with you, gather you up in His strong arms and carry you out.
He wants you to know that He's aware of everything that's happened in your life, every single detail. He's been watching out for you for a very long time. He's captured every tear that you've cried. He's ached with longing to comfort you. He has touched you gently, wanting you to turn to Him. Wanting you to run into His strong arms and be safe. You are exactly the person that He's looking for. He adores you, even when you hate Him.
So if you are down and out, know that your God is kneeling beside you, wherever you are, and He is ready and able to carry you to firmer ground. All you have to do is ask Him.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
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