4-20-2025

Good Morning All,

         1 Corinthians 15: 19-20; “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

    It is Sunday, the first day of the week. Most are getting ready for work. Except for some women, mostly friends and relatives of Mary and a few ragtag Galileans remaining in Jerusalem who are still at a loss. The women go to properly take care of the body of Jesus and they come back with this story about the tomb being empty and angels talking to them. Peter and John go to look, and they find things as the women said. And just like that, nothing would ever be the same.

    If Christ was not raised from the dead and our hope is only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied. If this were true, then our faith would be a theory or a philosophy. It would be just a moral relationship of self-discipline and self-exaltation. Yet Scriptures gives us possibly the greatest coordinating conjunction to ever be written. “BUT” in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. If thought “A” is true, then this is true BUT “A” is not true “B” is true. Christ has been raised from the dead. Everything depends on this wonderful truth. Our hope for heaven and eternal life, and our purpose for our life here on this earth. Since our faith is based on the historically accurate biblical account of the resurrection of Jesus, we can now go forward with our life story.

    With Jesus’ resurrection and his ultimate victory over death, we now can confidently live out our life, never needing to be ashamed of our faith or how it shapes who we are. We can live out our lives according to God’s will and purpose because we have nothing else to earn, win or prove. It has been won for us and that victory remains with us forever. The amazing power of “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” can never be overstated. And we are the beneficiaries.

    So, we celebrate. We celebrate to give all praise and honor and thanks to God. We celebrate to remember just how wondrous this gift is. We celebrate because we are now the victors. Now, every Sunday is a little Easter, a soul renewing and refreshing reminder of what happened so long ago on the first day of the week when some women went to a grave only to find it empty. But in fact, Christ was (and is) raised from the dead; and he lives and reigns to all eternity.

    So, celebrate! This Day and every day. Even in the midst of trials, in the midst of things we cannot understand, we can confidently look to the empty cross and the empty tomb and always see our hope. Jesus went through those doors and came out victorious. Then he turned around and gave that victory to you so you could rest in his loving and protective arms. Jesus won and you do too! Thanks be to God! A very blessed Easter to you all!

Almighty and gracious Lord and King, on this day we especially remember your great victory over sin, death, and the devil. That in this victory, you brought us home into your holy family. Help us to always see your hands at work in our lives, giving us the gracious and loving mercy and the hope that we have in your name. We pray this in your holy and wondrous name, Jesus!! Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret