The Selfless Life: The Pastor's Corner

The first official day of Spring has come. Cool mornings and questionable weather patterns persist; nevertheless, warmer days are upon us. My allergies can certainly testify that pollen season is here. Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing. Evidence of winter has all but vanished and new life is beginning to spring forth.

How profoundly appropriate it is that we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord, during this life-promoting time of year. Indeed, Jesus came to promote life. He came to give us an abundant, victorious life over sin and death. The resurrection serves as a constant reminder of the life Jesus came to give. We discussed in our Great Commission series the great need for people of every tribe, tongue and nation to hear about Jesus and life-changing power of His gospel. The bottom line is that people need the Lord and the new life that only He can give them!

Early Easter morning, Scripture says that several believers made their way to properly anoint and prepare Jesus’ body for burial. However, as they approached the tomb they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. I’ve often tried to put myself in the shoes of those disciples, but it’s difficult to imagine what that moment was like for them. Their minds were probably reeling with possible explanations: why was the stone moved? Who moved the stone? Where is the body of Jesus? I’m sure panic ensued. Nevertheless, they soon heard those comforting words; “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.”

Jesus had taught them repeatedly that He would die and rise again, but in that moment, they could not distinguish between the natural and the supernatural. Certainly, a resurrection was not a natural occurrence but a supernatural work that only God could accomplish. Let’s understand that the resurrection is paramount to the Christian faith; in fact, it validates our faith. The empty tomb stamps “amen” on everything Jesus ever said or did. Paul said it this way in Romans 1“he [Jesus Christ] was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.” (v. 4) In other words, because the tomb is empty we can know that Jesus was who He said that He was and that He most certainly did (and will do) all He said He would do.

Church, we serve a great and mighty God. One who was sinless, but took on our sin. One who was crucified, but conquered our death. One who ascended, but is coming again for us. If He can do all of that, He can certainly take care of any need we may have. Indeed, nothing is impossible for Him.

I encourage you to be present with us on Resurrection Sunday for morning worship at 8:30, breakfast at 9:30, and then worship at 10:30. We will be celebrating Baptism in our 10:30 service. Invite your friends and neighbors. It will be a glorious time as we celebrate the truth that He has risen!