Easter is a special time of year for Christians as we particularly remember God’s love toward his people. God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place. One very famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, says: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is hard to imagine someone dying in another’s place so that they might live. Yet, a mother’s or father’s love toward their children is naturally very strong. We see this especially at this time of year in nature, as we observe newborn animals in the farms and fields. From protective cows to devoted birds constantly feeding their brood of hatchlings, the instinct to protect is everywhere.
A mother hen, for instance, will hide her young under her wings when danger is present. One farmer told the story of a fire in a barn where a hen gathered her chicks under her wings. Although the farmer later found that the hen had died, the chicks underneath her wings were found alive and well. This powerful imagery is even mentioned in the Bible. So, this Easter, as we take delight in the new life all around us, let us not forget God’s ultimate sacrifice: that he sent his son, the Lord Jesus, to die in our place so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.