10 Days of Easter: Day 1

Today is the first day of the devotional, 10 Days of Easter, which is from Youth Ministry 360. This 10 day devotional is a great way to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate Jesus' death and Resurrection.
*All of the material was provided and put together by those at YM360. We just put together the pretty pictures.*

Truth from the Bible: Hundreds of years before He was sent to Earth, Jesus was God's plan to rescue us from the punishment of our sins.
What can I do with it?: You'll begin focusing on Jesus' sacrifice He made for you and how this makes you feel.

What caused Rue to help Katniss escape from the angry career tributes? Why did Sam follow Frodo even when things got testy on the way to Mount Doom? Simple. Love. Nothing more, nothing else.

Compassion, loyalty, and love are powerful connectors. These three relationship builders make for great entertainment. Movies utilize them to tug at our heartstrings through fictional tales costing millions of dollars to produce. But long before movies existed, Jesus' mission on earth was planned.

Take a moment to read Isaiah 53:5-7, 12:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors . For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
-Isaiah 53 (NIV)

In today's passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a coming Savior capable of delivering the people form their sin. This coming Savior would be insulted, beaten, and crucified even though He had not sinned even once. This Messiah would carry their sins through a public trial, countless abuses, and finally a criminal's death. He would do this so they could have forgiveness and eternal life.

Jesus' sacrifice brought us life. His pain purchased our freedom. He willingly endured the cross for the sake of rescuing humankind. For the sake of rescuing you.

Think about these questions now and throughout the day:

• How far would you go to save a friend from imminent death? 
• Who do you know that would willingly sacrifice his or her life for yours?
• What blows your mind most about Jesus' sacrifice for you?

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