Easter Morning Changed Everything!
As one who likes to write and appreciates the power of words, there are many that I have read/heard in my life that stand out in my mind:
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”
“Give me liberty of give me death” (I’d much prefer liberty, thank you very much!)
“December 7, 1941….a date that will life in infamy”
“The hills are alive with the Sound of Music…”
“I have a dream…”
“Space…the final frontier….these are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise…”
But all of those pale in comparison to three words found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke”
“He is Risen!”
Those three words herald the most significant announcement of all eternity. Jesus Christ’ resurrection is the apex of all human history. Even of the universe itself. It is the fulfillment of God’s promise in Genesis 3:15 and signals restoration from the curse that was put on man and nature.
Why did God do this? Because of His love for his creation. It is a free gift of salvation. For those who accept this gift and trust in Christ, it means several things:
It means eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
“When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun…we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun”.
It means we will have a resurrected, incorruptible body! (Wooo Hoooo!!):
Corinthians 15:42-44: 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
It means reunion with family and friends! I once saw a wonderful slogan that is so true:
“Christians never have to say goodbye for the last time”.
Rhonda Vincent does a beautiful song that captures this perfectly called “Homecoming”:
There’ll be a homecoming some morning
When Jesus calls us away
I’ll see mother and daddy
Lord I am ready
For Heaven’s homecoming day
Precious ones have gone on before
our Lord waits for no man
Salvation will gain us
a ticket to see them
and a place in God’s final plan
He will come like a thief in the night
To take us to Heaven on high
There we’ll gather once more
With those we adore
In a place where we never shall die
There’ll be a homecoming some morning
When Jesus calls us away
I’ll see mother and daddy
Lord I am ready
For Heaven’s homecoming day
It means eternal fellowship with those who have gone before us (and come after). Imagine having a conversation with Moses or King David!
It means no more pain. No more suffering. No more tears:
Revelation 21:4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
It means no more division:
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus – Galatians 3:28
It means we will see the Father and Son face to face:
Revelation:22:3-4: The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
It also means we can live life on this side of eternity with confidence and power. And the hope and certainty that this mortal life is just a short period of time. The older I get (and the more challenges I have) the more happy I am that this will all soon be over and done.
So on this Easter Sunday we celebrate and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. He has conquered death! He has conquered the grave! Neither have ANY power over Jesus and he did this because of his incredible LOVE for us. So let’s go forth and live our lives NOW as Ambassadors for Him knowing He is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him!