As we celebrate another Easter season, our hearts are breeding and heavy because our world is in war against ourselves, our once friends and family as well as against unrelenting hatred that is ruling and racking our hearts, lives and world. As I prepare this message today, the city of Brussels in Belgium in under attack. Many lives have been lost and hundreds wounded. Islamic terrorists have claimed responsibility for the planned bomb attacks: one in a train station and the other near airport. We are living in the world of war and hostility and the effects are seriously begging for attention. These series of wars and hostility are not new but different. In the midst of it, Jesus came as the Prince of peace, rode on the mule not horse and sacrifice His life for the world.
The disciples of Jesus were with Him when He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. They couldn’t believe that Jesus would give Himself up to the Roman soldiers. Little did they remember that He was on the part of fulfilling His purpose in life. They dispersed and in a distance witnessed Him tortured and crucified on the cross. They listened as He finally bowed His head and shouted, “It is finished” and watched as His body was taken down from the cross and buried. All hopes were dashed and dreams buried with Him.
The disciples mourned, wept and hid themselves for fears of the tyranny Jews. It was some women who were consumed with passion for Jesus that summed up courage to head to the tomb wondering who would roll away the stone for them. But to their greatest surprised, they got to the tomb only to find that the stone had already been rolled away. An Angel told them, do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. You are looking for the living among the dead. He’s not here. He’s risen even as He told you. He’s risen!!!Hallelujah!!! (Matt 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-6).
The risen Christ brought some changes and transformations (I fancy Melvin Newland article, “Easter – What a difference):
The Cross: Before His resurrection, the cross was known as an instrument of horrific death; such terrible form of execution that the Romans restrained this method of death for her citizens but authorized and allowed it for her slaves and enemies. But after the resurrection, the cross is placed in every place of worship, worn as jewelry as a symbol of victory, hope and renewal as well as reminder of God’s agape love for us. The reason Apostle Paul said, “The message of the cross is foolishness to lost people ; we preach Christ crucified….(1 Cor. 1:18, 23).
The Tomb: Before the resurrection, the grave was looked upon as the end or last chapter. After the resurrection, we rejoice that there is life beyond the grave. As matter of reality and hope, life really begins from the grave. The outer part (flesh) is broken and the life inside blossom and new life begins. The death of the seed is the life of the plant. Like the seed, the cessation of the outer/ outside life does not necessarily means the end of the inside life. Until the seed is dead, the plant is not hatch. Until the shell is broken, the life inside will not be seen. Dale Evans was quoted to have said, “I spent most of my life searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Then I finally found it at the foot of the cross.” On one side of the resurrection, everything we see is temporary; on the other side, only the things we cannot see are eternal. “While we say good night on one side of eternity……it is good morning …on the other side.”
Transformation of life: We are living in this era of hopelessness, hostility and despair that seem so pervasive today. We live a life that is so unsure and insecure and the presence of terrorism everywhere on the face of the earth. In our era, we have invaded our world and abuse our abode such that natural calamities and diseases that have no cures have becomes everyday occurrences. The effects of these atrocities have resulted to homelessness and refugees moving across the globe; abuses, hatred, killings and evil of all kinds. But the resurrection comes with hope, joy, peace and love and the power to overcome sorrow, sufferings and live daily in abundance (Phil 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Heb 11:35).
Transformation of death: Before the resurrection, death was the end and all we do is to mourn as those who have no hope. Then Job 14:14 ask, “If a man dies, shall he live again? The resurrection of Christ answers that question. Yes, when someone dies, we mourn for the lost of a loved one but with a great hope, because Jesus is risen, we too who believe in Him shall also arise (Rom 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:20). Because Jesus is raised, our sins are forgiven by His shed blood and we have a promise of eternal life. This changes the whole concept of death. Little wonder Apostle Paul questioned, “O death, where’s thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55). It means death has lost the battle. “Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won’t die or decay” (vs. 53). Sin is what gives death its sting and the law is the power behind sin. But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us victory (Vs. 56). Our victory is not in our riches, mass wealth, automatic weapons and whom we know in the society but on our connection with God’s son, Jesus Christ. Every other ground is sinking sand!!!
When Jesus appeared to His disciples through closed doors and showed them His hand and side, He liberated and alleviated their fears and they rejoiced and were glad (John 20:19-20). When He appeared to Thomas, and challenged his unbelief, he trembled at the sight of the risen Lord and no longer wanted to see, feel and touch but submitted wholly, calling Jesus, “My Lord and God”(John 20:26-28). It does not matter what we go through in life, the power of resurrection brings hope in despair, life after death, a new beginning. Resurrection is not a day but a daily life of victory in Christ Jesus.
When you admit your own unworthiness and personally trust Jesus Christ, who died for your sin, as your Savior and Lord, your sin is forgiven. You have just begun a new life of Victory and the Holy Spirit becomes your Helper. Do you today sense your own need of God, His pardon and His peace? Then ask Jesus Christ into your life to be your Savior. He is willing and eager to come to you. Jim Kraus in Have a Good Day (June 2011 Edition) wrote, “When you become a Christian, you live in the same world that you know now with the same problems. Yet there is a profound difference – the presence of Jesus Christ to help you overcome life’s difficulties.” “Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Rom 8:37). Your first step is to admit your need, your sin and your inability to help yourself. Then by simple faith, accept Christ Jesus as Savior who died for you. The Choice is yours to make today!!!
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill @weefreeministries.org or P.O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272. Tel: 832-881-3929