As we move closer to the drama of The Easter Story, it is important to know the main characters.
Although there are many supporting players, the final scene comes down to just two — God and satan.
Satan was happy to stay in the background and try to pull the strings on those he considered his puppets. He felt very happy as he watched Herod, Pilate, the Palm Sunday Jesus Fan Club, Judas and even Peter do just what he wanted.
But things did not go so well for satan a few days after what he thought had been a Good Friday. He was once again forced to rely on his ability to deceive to do damage control. He continues the deception today.
He would like us to believe God and Jesus are separate.
Truth: God and Jesus are One.
I and The Father are One.
John 10:30
He would like us to believe God has condemned us and wants to take out His Wrath on us by torturing us and killing us.
Truth: God has not condemned us.
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17
Truth: God loves us.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
Satan would like us to look at what happened to Jesus and think, “Wow! If God treated His Son that way, what awful things would He do to me?”
Truth: God has a Plan for us. He has assured us His Plan is not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!”
Jeremiah 29:11
Satan would like us to believe Jesus took our place and saved us from an angry God.
Truth: We did not need to be saved from God. We needed to be saved from satan. Our Loving God saved us from satan.
The reason The Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
So what did happen at the cross? Stay tuned as we look at the ultimate showdown between The Living God and His sworn enemy, satan.
The line was drawn at the cross. Satan was exposed for what he is — the leader of the death squad. But God gave all of Himself to bring us Life!
I have set before you Life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose Life, so that you and your children may live!
Deuteronomy 30:19
