“Will you teach my children the Bible?” Phone conversations with my first born often begin with ice-breakers such as this.

“What children?” I asked Monique.

“The ones Frank and I are going to have. I want them to know the Bible like I do so I’d like you to teach them.”

“Why don’t you teach your own children?”

“What if I don’t have time? What if I don’t do it right? Teaching children about God is very important. I don’t want to mess up.”

I told Monique to make time to teach her yet-to-be-born children. I told her to be sure she got it right. Then I assured her that I can’t wait to share the Word of God with the next generation. And like I did with my own children, I will tell the Easter story many, many times throughout the year. The Resurrection of Jesus should be celebrated daily.

As a child, I never understood why it was necessary for Jesus to die. I had a difficult time wrapping my mind around the idea of a sinless man dying a brutal death. Now, when I think of Easter, my thoughts go back to the Garden of Eden.

Created in the image of God and clothed with His Glory, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed. Once they disobeyed God, they realized their nakedness. Their guilt brought shame, so they attempted to clothe themselves with fig leaves and then tried to hide from the presence of God.

Before banishing them from the Garden, God made them garments from the skin of animals. Animals were sacrificed to cover for the guilt and shame brought on by the sin of Adam and Eve. For many years after that, people sacrificed animals to atone for their sins, while prophets predicted God would send a Messiah to redeem man.

John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. God had sent His Son to be the sacrifice for the sins of the people. Although tempted in every area, Jesus was without sin, yet He willingly became the final sacrifice for our sins. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” I Peter 2:24

I could make a lengthy list of the sins from which I’ve been forgiven, the sicknesses from which I’ve been healed and the freedom I’ve found from financial difficulties, fear and mental torment, all as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice. As difficult as each one was to bear in my life, they were spread out over a 52-year period. What astounds me is that Jesus bore not only the contents of my list, but the lists of everyone at one time. This is a pain I cannot imagine, endured by a Savior I will not deny.

Although my sins were enough to nail Jesus to the cross, they couldn’t keep Him there. Easter Sunday marks His triumph over death. May we daily experience the results of His sacrifice and live in the freedom He so willingly purchased for us

Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.