I’ve never had a gun held to my head, but I know people who have. They talk about the utter hopelessness, helplessness and despair that they felt at that moment. There was nothing they could do. Having been spared from death, they know about deliverance.

You and I must need that same realization. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). We all deserve nothing but punishment and death for our disobedience to God. We have all sinned, and we keep on messing up. Even today, all of us have been caught in Satan’s little traps. How many of you have lost your temper at someone for not being ready on time, or doing something stupid? How often have you fought in the car on the way to Church? Do greed or jealousy or pettiness take over when you look at your neighbor? Satan is always working on those who follow Jesus, because He hates believers. He doesn’t want anyone to rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus. He wants you to keep on sinning and be damned for those sins. He tries to turn you away from Jesus, because without Christ, you are that person with a gun held to your head. There is nothing you can do. But once again, Thanks be to God. In your helpless state, he did something for you. His love and care and concern for you was so great that He let His Son die for your disobedience, even the sins you’ve committed today. The payment has been made. And by raising Jesus on the third day, our Father has assured you that not only are you forgiven, but you will live with Him forever. You have crossed from death to life through faith in Jesus.

 On a beautiful Spring afternoon, a boy and his father were driving in the country. A bee flew into the car through an open window. The little boy, who was allergic to bee stings, was petrified. The father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, held it in his hand, and then released it. The boy grew frantic as it buzzed all around him. The father reached out his hand again, but this time showed his son his palm. There, stuck in his hand, was the stinger of the bee. The father said: “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. I took the sting for you.”

Our Lord Jesus shows you His palms with the nail prints, reminding you that His death on the cross was in your place, and also that He rose again from the dead. Jesus took the sting out of death for you by dying and rising again. You trust in Him assures you of forgiveness and eternal life. You have deliverance.