The title of my Easter message today is “The Greatest Intervention of ALL Time”. As you can probably guess being Easter it is about Jesus intervening in this world and His actions we celebrate each year at Easter.

If we think about God for a moment we realise God is a God of intervention. Throughout history or His-story, He regularly stepped in to help His people.

When the people were captive in Egypt under Pharos harsh rule He sent Moses to tell him to “Let my people go”. When Pharos army chased them with murderous intentions, God intervened by parting the Red Sea. When the people wandered in the desert God intervened and provided Mana and Quail for food. When the people were in dispute, God intervened to provide judges to make wise decisions. When the people were off track spiritually, God intervened and sent Prophets to call the people back to Himself. When Daniel was in the lion’s den, God intervened. When Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego were in the fiery furnace, God intervened. When Saul was hunting down and killing Christians, God intervened and spoke directly to Saul and his life was changed forever. History tells us he became the Apostle Paul and went on to be a great church planter and leader to the early church.

Jesus is the ultimate intervention

So how does this idea of intervention tie in with the Easter message? I believe the ultimate and greatest intervention of all time is found in the Easter story. Right now I want to share four reasons why Jesus intervened into our lives.

1. Jesus intervened to bring us life more abundant

John 10:10 KJV – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This verse is part of the passage that talks about the Good Shepherd caring for and protecting His sheep. Jesus as the Good Shepherd came to give us an abundant life. The NIV says describes this abundant life as a “full life”. The NLT describes it as a “rich and satisfying life”. The Greek word used here in this text is perisos. This means more abundant, superior, exceedingly above, beyond measure.

Jesus did not want us to live a dreary, ho-hum life. He came so we could experience abundant life. Jesus wants to give us a life with meaning and purpose; a life with that knows who you are, where you are from and where you are going; a life that has our sins are forgiven and eternal destiny sorted out; and as the Good Shepherd He wants to provide protection and provision; He wants to give us a life that brings us peace in knowing these things. Jesus wants to give us a life that knows that no matter where we go or what we do, He is right there with us helping us through.

For me I have known this abundant life. Since that Saturday night in July 1989 when I invited Jesus into my heart and life as Lord and Saviour, I have experienced an abundant life first hand. I know that in the good times and the bad times, God is with me. He holds me in the palm of His mighty hand. He provides for me and my family. He has given me a peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that is not from this world.

Jesus intervened to give all those who trust in Him abundant life.

2. Jesus intervened to bring us hope

Romans 5:1-2 NIV84 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

One of the great messages of the Bible is hope. In the NIV the word hope is mentioned over 150 times. One of the greatest things we can have in this life is hope.

Hope according to the Bible is having “a certainty in the present and a firm expectation for the future”. This is what we have in Christ – a present certainty and a firm hope for the future.

We have been justified with God and we have peace with Him, because of what Jesus has done. As a result of this we know beyond doubt we are right with God and we can be confident on the day of judgement, because as we saw a few weeks ago, perfect love drives out all fear. We have a great hope for the future.

We know that Jesus has gone to prepare a place and one day He is coming back for us. John 14:1-3 says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.  2 There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.”

Jesus intervened to give us this great future hope. He is coming back for us… maybe even today!

3. Jesus intervened to bring us victory over sin and death

Romans 8:1-4 NLT – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  2 And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.  3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.  4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Jesus intervened to give us victory over sin and death. The Law of Moses with all of its rules could not save us, it only shows us we are sinners who need saving. Jesus’ death on the cross intervened and paid the price for our sin. He took our punishment; the price has been paid and God is satisfied (Romans 3:25).

Not only has sin been defeated, but death has too. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NLT says, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Death for us as Christians is not a scary thing. We need not fear it. Death for the Christians in not the full stop and the end of the story, but it is the full stop at the end of the first chapter. We have a great hope as we saw earlier.

Jesus intervened to give us victory over sin and death.

4. Jesus intervened to bring us salvation

The Bible has so many great verses that talk about salvation and what Christ has done for us. None greater than John 3:16-18.

John 3:16-18 – “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  17 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.  18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

These verses talk about a God who could not stand for us to miss out on spending eternity with Him. Jesus intervened in our world and in our lives so He could save us.

Jesus wanted you to spend eternity with Him so much that He left the glories of heaven to live amongst us. He came to show us what God is like, to show us how to live and love one another, and ultimately, He came to die on the cross for our sin. You were so important to Jesus that He stood before evil men and said nothing at His trial. He allowed Himself to be beaten, whipped and carry a cross through the streets. He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and left to die the most painful and horrific death that one could endure. He did this for you. He did this for me. He did this for everyone in our community, in our nation and in our world. He wanted everyone to be saved so much that He held back nothing… not even His own life. No price was too great for Jesus to pay for you. And He paid it gladly.

Jesus intervened to bring us salvation.

Closing Summary

So in closing today, on this Easter Sunday, I want you to remember the greatest intervention of all time. The intervention into this world of Jesus, who came and died on the cross for our sin and to open the door for us to find salvation and eternal life in Him.

Today let us remember why Jesus intervened…

1. Jesus intervened to bring us life more abundant
2. Jesus intervened to bring us hope
3. Jesus intervened to bring us victory over sin and death
4. Jesus intervened to bring us salvation and eternal life

Amen

I purchased a new cross to wear around the neck recently. Most of the crosses I have only had an empty cross as most protestant people do.

When I was a new Christian in the late 80s and early 90s, many people said that Jesus is not on the cross now, so why do you have a crucifix? At the time it made sense so I purchased a plain cross.

Lately I have been reminded afresh of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I have been meditating of His death on the cross for my sin and the lengths He was willing to go to for me.

While looking for a new cross to purchase I found the cross above. It has the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Something about it appealed to me straight away.

As I have dwelt on this I was reminded afresh that our salvation is a triune effort of God. The Father sent the Son, the Son died on the cross for our sins, and the Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus and gives us the new birth.

The following verses paint a picture for us…

John 3:16-17 NLT – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 5:8-11 NLT – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [9] And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. [10] For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. [11] So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Titus 3:4-7 NLT – When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, [5] he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. [6] He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [7] Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

As we can see from the above verses each member of the trinity played their part in the salvation process. It was a triune effort – the Father sent the Son, Jesus died for us, and the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth and new life in Him.

So this is why I wear my new cross. It is a reminder of what God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – has done in saving me.

If you are interested you can find one here for only $1.50!

Mark 8:27-29 NLT – Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” [28] “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” [29] Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus asked the disciples two questions. Who do the people say I am? And who do you say I am?

Over the years I have spoken to a lot of people about Jesus. In these conversations I have heard many different opinions on who people think Jesus is. Some have said He is a good moral teacher. Some others have said a prophet who spoke God’s message. While some said the leader of an ancient religion.

To me the most important question in this life is the one Jesus asked to His disciples. “Whom do you say I am?” I believe it is the most important question because it determines our eternal destiny! If we think Jesus was just a teacher, prophet or a leader of an ancient religion, we miss who He really is.

Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:29). He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to show us what God is like (John 14:9). He came to die on the cross for our sin and ransom us for God (Mark 10:45). Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Jesus is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords (Revelation 17:14). He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and the only way to the Father in heaven (Acts 4:12).

Today I want to ask you the same question that Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do you say that I am?” Who is Jesus to you? It is my hope and prayer that you agree with Peter’s response to Jesus’ question.

For more information please visit my finding salvation page.