Next in our ‘Saviour’ devotional series, Lorna Wilkinson helps us open up the letter ‘O’ 🔍:
 
As we continue our journey towards Easter, we will see several things that are OPEN.
 
In Psalm 119, the Psalmist wanted God to reveal the wonders of His word. The Bible is like a treasure map, guiding believers to the riches we have in Christ 🗺👑.

  After Jesus had endured the harrowing mistreatment and cruelty of the soldiers and the crowd, He was put on trial. Although He was completely innocent of every charge brought against Him, His enemies would settle for nothing less than His execution.
 
“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” Mark 15:15 (ESV).
 
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him” Luke 23:33 ✝️.
 
The arms that had flung stars into space were now OPEN, as Jesus hung on a cruel Roman cross for you and me. The love of God was being demonstrated for all to see. He even forgave the people who drove the nails into his hands:  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34🩸.
 
Today, those arms of love are waiting for all who will come in repentance and faith for salvation.
 
‘And the curtain of the temple was torn in two’ Luke 23:45. The way is now OPEN for us to approach God.
 
“… we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he OPENED for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh” Hebrews 10:19-20.  Christ Jesus is the only mediator between God and us. He has satisfied both God and man. 
 
The OPEN tomb declares to the world that Jesus Christ is a victorious and risen Saviour. May we have OPEN hearts this Easter so that we can boldly testify with the hymn writer, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.” ❤️.
 
“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
 
To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
 
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
I want to see You
You are holy, Lord”

Extract from ‘Open the Eyes of my Heart’, by Paul Baloche
(Listen online 🎶: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKAeSE_QZog)