Pastoral Notes for Sunday, March 27, 2016
0false18 pt18 pt00falsefalsefalse
“He is not here, but has risen.”—Luke 24:6
Holy week is the crescendo of the Christian calendar, because the crucifixion and resurrection are the center of the Christian faith. Without the shedding of blood, as Paul reminds us, “there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22), and if Christ had never been raised from the dead, then our “faith is futile and we’re still in our sins…and we of all people are most to be pitied.” (I Corinthians 15:17, 19)
However, because Jesus died for us, and rose again from the grave, we are the most blessed! For Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities (Col.2:15) and put to death the last enemy, death (I Cor.15:54). He became the first fruits from the dead (I Cor.15:20), and by that same power—Christ’s resurrection power—the grave will not hold us either. Listen and believe.
· “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”—II Cor. 5:17
· “We will not all die, but we will all be changed…in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”—I Cor.15:51-52
Herein is hope, friends. Hope for the world. Hope for eternity. Hope for us… Hope for you.
The quality of our celebration today should match the importance of what we are celebrating—the most important reality of life and eternity, the death and resurrection of Christ. There is simply no risk of overdoing the celebration. If there was ever a time for worshipful abandon, for giving yourself to wonder, love, and praise, that time is now. Join with the angels in heaven, and the saints from all the ages, and worship the risen Christ in Spirit and in truth. The tomb is empty, and the gospel is true. Let the celebration begin!
In the aftermath of Gethsemane and Calvary, we catch a scent of Eden. The resurrection is the first day of a new creation. —Alistair McGrath
The entire plan for the future has its key in the resurrection. —Billy Graham
Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf at springtime. —Martin Luther
Everything in our life that is sorrowful or dead becomes the dance floor on which we celebrate our Easter joy. —Wendy Wright
The stem bent, pent in seed, grows straight
And stands. Pain breaks in song. Surprising
The merely dead, graves fill with light
Like opened eyes. He rests in rising—Wendell Berry
Jesus is your Light
Jesus is your Savior
Jesus is your Resurrection
Jesus is your King
Jesus is leading you to heights of heaven
Jesus will show you the Eternal Father
Jesus will raise you up by His right hand —Bishop Melito of Sardis
[CP1]Should this be “had”?
