"HE IS RISEN, INDEED
I can remember the morning of rising to seek out the little goodies left by the Easter bunny. I must confess to you that there's still a thrill I feel about chomping into a sizeable chunk of chocolate. I'm not wanting to deal a death-blow to the traditional seek-and-find game of Easter Sunday morning, but I'm concerned that, in the midst of it all, we retain a clear vision on the significance of the day.
It is a joyful experience to be part of a congregation among whom Easter is not a climax, but a commencement. It's the dawning, or sunrise, of God's destined purpose for us that is revealed through Jesus Christ. The fact of His resurrection declares that my destiny is as certain as our Lord's... my security is as sure as His throne... my victory is as sure as His resurrection. That first Easter was a time of resurrection and revelation (and unveiling); the discovering of life made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus our King.
The resurrection of our Lord makes possible life-changing results: the cracking open of the crusty hardness of life and the opening up of men and women to the tender touch of our resurrected Lord. Life begins at Easter and, oh, how that life thrusts us into new and rich direction.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ trumpets the message that God's intended purpose for us is found in the finished work of Christ and His cross. That first Easter confirms to the world that Jesus Christ is the unconquerable Creator, the undeniable Redeemer, the unforgettable Savior, and unrelenting King. Jesus Christ came to save and redeem.
Even if we tried, no words could adequately describe our Savior's glory and majesty. Peter Bayne [Scottish theologian, in 1862] wrote 'The Testimony of Christ [to Christianity].' It comes close to saying it all. I thought you'd enjoy it.
'Christ has come, the Light of the world: The Revealer of snares and chasms that lurk in the darkness, the Rebuker of every evil thing that prowls by night, the Stiller of the storm-winds of passion, the Quickener of all that is wholesome, the Adorner of all that is beautiful, the Reconciler of contradictions, the Harmonizer of discords, the Healer of diseases, the Savior from sin. He has come, the Torch of Truth, the Anchor of hope, the Pillar of faith, the Rock for strength, the Refuge for security, the Fountain for refreshment, the Vine for gladness, the Rose for beauty, the Lamb for tenderness, the Friend for counsel, the Brother for love. Jesus Christ has trod the world. The trace of the Divine footsteps will never be obliterated. And the Divine footsteps were the footsteps of a Man. The example of Christ is such as men can follow. On! towards yon summit on which stands not an angel, not a disembodied spirit, not an abstract of ideal and unattainable virtue, but THE MAN JESUS CHRIST.'
We're not here today to mourn the death of Christ, but to celebrate His glorious resurrection, for He is risen, indeed.
Happy Resurrection Sunday,
Ron Mehl"