Here Comes Easter!
For most people in this part of the world, spring
and Easter represent new life after a dormant winter. Plant life shows up as
buds and blooms pop out and green grass appears proving there is life after
death. It is almost like a message and reminder from God that resurrection is
real. So where did Easter come from?
Centuries ago, the Jews’
hardened hearts and lack of devotion to their heavenly Father led to
subservience in a foreign land. The blood of a lamb on their doorposts brought
forgiveness and freedom from slavery. (Hebrews 9:22 [ESV] “Without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”) Delivery was a
reminder of God’s mercy and compassion. Today Passover is a solemn remembrance
of that event. He provided a chance for a restored commitment to Him once
again.
Easter season in the
Christian community is similar to the Passover. Deliverance was provided for
all of mankind through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ through
His shed blood on the cross. Jesus, the
lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), has given all of
mankind a chance to receive forgiveness from sin by way of salvation. This act
paid for our freedom around the time of Passover – our Easter. To all who
choose to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, there is hope and assurance
of one day being resurrected even as Jesus was for eternity.
Followers of Jesus, join
the family of believers in celebrating Jesus' resurrection on this day. Once
enslaved to sin and the devil’s schemes to defy God, we have been released from
Satan’s bondage into the loving care of the one true God. This is indeed a day
for thanksgiving and praise to the only wise God and forever King Jesus!
I Cor. 15:20-23
(NLT): Christ has been raised from the
dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So, you see,
just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the
dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam,
everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was
raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be
raised when he comes back.
