A gentlemen of great honesty, humility, and honor, Abraham Lincoln, one day passed by a slave auction.  A black girl was on display.  At the time, emancipation was not yet won.

When he looked into the lost, fearful eyes of this girl, he understood her terror.  She would be misused by whoever bought her.

The bidding began.

To the amazement of the crowd, Lincoln raised his hand to bid for this girl.  He was prepared to pay any price for her.  When at last no one would match his offer, the frightened girl was turned over to him.

In anguish she asked, "What do you want to do with me?"

Calmly, the great man replied, "I only want to set you free."

The girl could not believe him.  No one paid that much, just to set someone free.  "But you are free," Lincoln told her.  "Free from your old burdens and the shame of slavery.  I demand nothing of you.  You are free!"

In that instant the girl knew what grace was.

"Sir," she replied, "I will go with you!"  Set free, she could follow her redeemer in gratitude.

Does this story sound familiar?  It’s your story and mine, for this is exactly what Jesus did for you and me.  He paid an unbelievable price, his life, to set us free from sin and death.  This is Easter grace.

What is your response to this freedom?

Is it similar to the freed slave girls response?