As we near the Easter festival and we ponder the history of the world, the history of Israel, the history of the church, and our own personal history, we are well aware the world was and is marred by sin, Israel was and is marred by sin, the church was and is marred by sin, and each of us are marred by sin. Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ” With the Good Friday message is God’s love brought to a fallen world, the sin bearer, The Father’s beloved son, becoming sin for us that righteousness would be imputed unto those who have no offering to appease a Holy God. With the publican at the temple: “God be merciful to me a sinner” With Isaiah the prophet “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts”. God working in the heart repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” Here the voice of the suffering saviour “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” Jesus shedding his precious blood to wash away all our sins. Martin Luther on the value of Christ’s blood. “One drop of Christ’s blood is worth more than heaven and earth.” My friend, leave your sins with Jesus, he has paid for them all. Martin Luther again, “Either your sin is with you, or lying on your shoulder, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back you are lost; but if is resting on Christ you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.” Easter morning is arriving the dark night is past, sin is finished, Satan destroyed, his power broken, death hath no more dominion over the children of grace. “The Sun of righteousness (Jesus) has risen with healing in his wings ” Martin Luther ” .. What does the resurrection advantage us? It has already brought us this: our hearts are enlightened and filled with joy, and we have passed from the darkness of sin, error and fear into the clear light.” Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” Brothers, sisters, young and old together, lets walk the narrow way as light and salt to all those around us, living for Jesus a life that is true striving to please him in all that we do. II Corinthians 5:14,15 “For the Love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Holy Father bless our Easter services, cause our ears to be attentive and our hearts receptive to your word, our only life (Jesus) in his name, Amen.