God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

— Romans 5:8

Today we celebrate the proof of God’s love for us. Jesus has risen, victorious over death! He laid down his own life for us so that our debt of sin would be paid, and because he rose from the dead, we can have new life with him forever. Through the Spirit of God our new life begins now—and even though we may die physically before Jesus comes again, we are promised that our bodies too will rise when he comes to usher in the new heaven and earth! Alleluia! Praise the Lord God!

God’s love for each one of us is eternal, unchanging, and unconditional. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God proves his love for us by the fact that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” and “while we were God’s enemies, we were ­reconciled to him through the death of his Son.” We have salvation not because of our love for God, but because God loves us and sent his Son to pay for our sins and to give us new, eternal life.

Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to reveal God’s love for us. The finished work of Jesus is all the proof we need that God cares for us all. The God of love is determined to save us!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing love. Move us, who were once your enemies, to love you and serve you today and always, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.