Paid In Full

This Easter, Minister Mark invited us to experience resurrection not through abstract theology, but through the eyes of a fictional disciple named Bart. In first-person storytelling, Bart brought us into the middle of the most transformational dinner party in history.

It was Sunday evening. Just 48 hours earlier, Jesus had been brutally crucified. Bart and the other disciples were locked away—paralyzed by grief, shame, and fear. They had followed Jesus for years, expecting political victory. But all of those hopes were buried with him in the tomb.

Then, in a moment that turned their world upside down, Jesus walked through the locked door and stood among them.

“Peace be with you,” he said.

It wasn’t a hallucination or ghost story. Jesus invited them to touch his scars. Then, like only Jesus could, he asked for dinner—broiled fish—and ate it with them. He wasn’t just alive—he was fully alive, victorious over death itself.

Around that meal, Jesus began to teach. Scripture came alive as he showed how everything in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms pointed to him. Bart recalled the fire in his heart as Jesus connected ancient words to his own story:

• Isaiah 7:14 – The virgin birth. “That’s me,” Jesus said. Even Mary nodded in agreement.

• Isaiah 61 – Good news to the poor. “Remember the Sermon on the Mount?” he said.

• Isaiah 50:6 – The suffering servant. “That was Friday,” he whispered.

• Isaiah 25 – “He will swallow up death forever.” “I did that yesterday,” Jesus grinned.

Bart’s political dreams crumbled, but something far better rose from the ashes: understanding. Jesus’ kingdom wasn’t about power—it was about forgiveness, freedom, and resurrection life for everyone who would trust him.

That’s the gospel.

Jesus sees our sin, our guilt, our long list of regrets—our “bill”—and says, “All of it. I want to pay for all of it.”

But the question remains: Will we let him?

Minister Mark reminded us that this isn't just a moment to remember the resurrection, but to respond to it. Many in the room did exactly that—bringing forward cards to be stamped “PAID,” a public declaration that they were trusting Jesus to pay the bill they could never afford.

And the invitation still stands—for everyone.

Jesus doesn’t want a portion of your life. He’s not asking for your best moments or your cleaned-up version. He wants all of it:
Your fears.
Your failures.
Your doubts.
Your hidden shame.
Your dreams and disappointments.

The video challenged us with this truth: Jesus didn’t go halfway. He gave everything. He asks us to surrender everything in return—not to be crushed by it, but to be freed by it.

“Stop pretending. Stop performing. Stop trying to earn what’s already been paid in full. Say yes to Jesus. Let him cover all of it.”

This week, don’t walk past this invitation. Whether you’re new to faith or have wandered far from it—this is your moment. Let Jesus pay for all of it. And then, go live like someone who’s truly free.

Message recap adapted from April 20, 2025, message by Minister Mark Ashton