Each Easter I focus more on Jesus and what He did. I can see Him entering Jerusalem, crying for those far from God. He eats one last meal with His friends, then is betrayed. After horrible beatings, He struggles up the road to Golgotha. Mocked and spit upon, He hangs on a cross and dies.

What was it all for?

Jesus wasn't the first to be crucified. He wasn't even the first self-proclaimed messiah to be crucified. Others had come before. Leading rebels against Roman captors. Stirring the hearts of Jewish captives. Boasting, "God with us." And always failing.

Jesus was different. He did not lead rebels. He sought followers. He was not interested in the Romans. His battles were with His own people. He did not care to stir idle hearts. He wanted to fill them. He never boasted, "God with us." He was...God with us. And yet, He still died.

What was it all for?

Paul wrote that it was God's good pleasure and design for His own full being to live within Jesus and that through Jesus and His death on the cross, people could be reconciled back to God. (see Colossians 1:19-20)

The key was Jesus' resurrection. He had to be raised from the dead. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Corinthians 15:14)

If there were no resurrection, it makes sense that Paul's preaching would be useless because he based everything on that event. But so would our faith...yours and mine. It would all be meaningless.

If Jesus does not live...He has not conquered death and the punishment we deserve.

If Jesus does not live...He has not atoned for our sins and we remain under judgment.

If Jesus does not live...He was not who He claimed to be and could offer eternal life to no one.

If Jesus does not live...What was it all for?

But the resurrection is real! Jesus came back to life. He walked and talked. He ate meals with His friends. He shared and taught as He had before. And appeared not once, but often...over forty days, before more than five hundred people. The evidence is there. JESUS LIVES!!!

What was it all for?

Have you figured it out? That's the wrong question. Since before creation, it's never been about the what. All that matters to our loving God is...who. Who was it all for?

It was for you. It has always been for you. God literally moved heaven and earth for you. He revealed Himself so you would know Him. He explained how life should be lived so you could walk with Him. He fully lived within Jesus so you would know how much He loves you. And through the resurrection, He showed you that eternal life -- His gift for you -- is real.

Through all the years as Easter nears

Our thoughts return to God's own Son

And as they dwell, we see Him well

Erasing stains from all we've done