Good Morning All,
Mark 16:6; “And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
There was a small group
gathered at one of the local assisted living centers. The “birthday boy” had turned
101 years-old and they were celebrating. He was still very active and enjoyed
playing cards with anyone who would play. (I didn’t, he played for blood!).
Everyone was asking him about all the changes that he had witnessed in his lifetime.
He witnessed many events and changes. He witnessed a world war (served in it,
Thank you sir!) many “conflicts. He grew up during the Great Depression.
He experienced 18 presidents, and 24 South
Dakota governors. He witnessed the TVA, the CCC, and the growth of Social
Security. The rural electrification and the coming of the telephone, the
computer, international flights, the space program with a man walking on the
moon and the birth of 5 children, 18 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, and
7 great, great grandchildren. So, some of the staff were trying to get him to
tell them about the greatest event. He said that is easy, “the greatest event
that I have ever experienced was the Resurrection of Jesus! That changed me
forever!”
I have to confess, I didn’t see that
coming; but after he said it, I should have known. He is a man of unshakable
faith. The real amazement came from some of the staff. To them, church was something
“you did.” You checked off the box that said, “I went to church, I am good for
this week.” He lives it, every day. He clings to his faith; he breathes his faith,
and his faith lives and breathes in him. He will interact with the staff and
the other residents, and his faith will show. He is fully confident that Jesus
is risen from the dead and now lives and reigns to all eternity.
Christ is risen!! He is risen indeed!! Does
that cry speak of a whole new world to you? It should!! Jesus conquered sin,
death, and the devil. He paid for our sins so that we would not have to pay. He
opened the door of heaven to all believers. We no longer need to fear death. It
is now only a door, or a good nap. One day, God will awaken everyone from this nap,
and we will enter into his eternal perfect creation to live with Him for
eternity. Our whole way of looking at the world should be completely different because
of this phrase. The collusion of the sinfulness of this world, our own
sinfulness, our own guilt, and fears do not need to dry us to despair. In all
things, Christ is the victor, and we are more than conquerors through Him. Jesus
came to give us life; let us go forth in the peace of the Lord!
Gracious Lord and Savior, on this day you opened the door of your most
gracious kingdom to all believers. Give us the joy of your salvation. Lead us
to proclaim your saving name to all the world that all may know your love.
Defend us, protect us, and keep us under your sheltering wings until the day of
your glorious return and our entry into your eternal kingdom. Through Jesus,
our risen and reigning KING, AMEN!
God’s
Peace,
Pastor
Bret
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