“The great gift of Easter is hope – Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.” – Basil Hume
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!
On Easter Sunday, the above saying is frequently recited. In addition, we regularly sing Easter Hymns and worship songs addressing the death and resurrection* of Christ. Finally, sermons often focus on the miracle of the resurrection and the new life we have been given. All the above can make the Easter service uplifting (which it should be) and emotionally charged. However, what does it all mean?
In my last blog, I reviewed what happened to Jesus on Good Friday. It is hard to make sense of all Christ endured. But now that it is Sunday, it all makes sense. The last item noted in the previous blog is that Jesus was laid to rest in the tomb.
THEN
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She returned to where the disciples were staying and gave them the news. So, Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. Jesus was not there!
HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!!!!
Why did this happen? Jesus’ death on the cross (crucifixion) and resurrection happened because “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 God wants us to live with Him in heaven. Life on this earth is temporary and challenging, and we sin.
God created a perfect world; however, humans (Adam and Eve) sinned. They did what God explicitly told them not to (You may have heard the story. It is about eating the forbidden fruit. The story is found in Genesis 3). Throughout the Old Testament, the priest sacrificed animals to atone for the people’s sins. God allowed His Son to come to earth, live among humans and have a ministry, and die in atonement for our sins.
He is the last sacrifice ever needed. Our sins are forgiven, and we will live in heaven with God forever.
I will be in heaven. Will you?
You must ask Jesus to live in your heart to be assured you are going to heaven. It is very simple, pray a prayer like this one:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen
If you said that prayer, welcome to the family of God! I am so glad that you are here. Please share your decision to ask Christ in your life with someone. Find a church to get involved in to learn more about God, Jesus, and the Bible.
Enjoy your day, enjoy your family and friends, and live a new life in Christ.
*Resurrection – On the third day after Jesus’ death on the cross, he arose from the dead.
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