April 2024
What if there was a Good Friday but no Easter Day? Then it was not ‘good’ and nothing good in this
world will last.
What if the cold, dark tomb was Jesus’ final resting place? Then we have no hope of resurrection either. All will perish forever.
What if Jesus’ confident assertion that he would rise again was
ignorant or deceitful? Then all Christian
preaching is a lie and Christians are to be pitied more than most. The offer of forgiveness was indeed too good
to be true.
What if death is still an undefeated enemy whose assault
against us can only be delayed a little?
Then Jesus is not the Son of God and triumphant Easter hymns are cruel
lies.
Something greater than a baseless fable broke out of Judea
and began to conquer hearts and minds across the Roman Empire right up to the Emperor
himself.
Something other than the hallucinations of a few drunk
disciples split history in two and led to a calendar that dates everything from
Jesus.
Something more than empty promises has given solid hope and
inexplicable joy through the centuries to Christians facing persecution and poverty,
illness and death.
“But Christ has
indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have ‘fallen
asleep’ … But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes,
those who belong to him.” (1 Corinthians
15:20,23)
Resurrection life is not for Jesus alone; he is our pioneer. Resurrection life is not a right or a reward. Resurrection life is a gift of God, freely
offered through his Son, and received by those who simply and sincerely take him at his
word.
Christmas lasts but 12 days; Easter for 50! It’s one long, joyful celebration of
resurrection life – come and join us! Or
to join one of our 3-session Hope Explored courses please send me a message or
give me a call.
Happy Easter!
