What’s it all about?

People around the world are commemorating what for many, is the most important period of time in history – the Easter season. Some have given up something for Lent and look forward to having that special something back once the season is past. Many are buying candy and items to fill Easter baskets, dying eggs and organizing egg hunts, shopping for new clothes, and making reservations for that special Easter meal. Others anticipate visits from extended family and friends, and time off of work and school!

Pastors and worship leaders prepare for multiple services and greater than usual number of attendees, as some people return for their first visit since Christmas. And somewhere in the hustle and bustle of it all, just like at Christmas, we pause to remember what it’s all about.

What it’s NOT about is the eggs, and candy, and baskets, and new clothes, and special meals, and holidays. It’s not even about temporarily doing without something for a short period of time. There is nothing wrong with all of that. It is part of the joy of celebrating.

BUT

What it IS about is the greatest gift ever given to mankind, and the ONE who gave it. It’s about making a way for us to be in relationship with our Creator, about having our sins forgiven, and being adopted into the family of God. It’s about conquering death and giving life to those who will believe and receive Him.

The Apostle Paul spells it out in two short verses in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Paul said it was of first importance. Nothing is more important than this! He said Christ died for a reason – for our sins. He died and was buried. He was confirmed to be dead. He was put in a tomb. But He did not stay dead! On the third day He rose again. And that, friends, that is what it’s all about. It’s about Jesus taking our place, dying for our sins, rising from the grave, offering to us the free gift of eternal life … LIFE.

It’s appropriate that we celebrate at this time of year, when trees are budding, and flowers are pushing up through the earth. Signs of life are all around us, reminding us that although there was the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, LIFE follows death, and we can have life if we follow Him.

Have you received the gift He is offering you? A gift is not yours until you receive it. Receive it and thank Him today for so great a salvation.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” In verse 13 he writes, “Whosoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

May this be your happiest Easter ever!

Blessings,

Ruth

Waiting for the Messiah

For generations people waited,
longing,
expecting,
anticipating the promised Messiah,
But when He came, most did not accept Him.

“He came unto His own and His own received Him not.” John 1:11

People had their own ideas about what He would be like and what He should do.
So, when He came
from humble circumstances,
born to a young Jewish woman,
in a stable, no less!
and grew up associating with commoners, fishermen and the like,
eating with tax collectors and ‘sinners’…
well, that just wouldn’t do!

He performed miracles on the sacred day of Sabbath!
No real Messiah would possibly live like that!

And his teaching…
Submission to the authority of Rome?
Paying taxes to the foreign occupiers?
Not taking revenge?
Treating enemies with kindness?
No, no, no, and no!!

Riding into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey.
Where was the conqueror on the majestic stallion?

The final straw came when He did not resist arrest and forbade His followers to do so.
He was taken, tried, and crucified,
and that was that!

But was it?

One of His followers summed up their expectations this way, “We had hoped…” Luke 24:21.
Their hope was based on human understanding.
But human understanding is flawed.

Today many still base their hope on human understanding… flawed understanding… a hope based on personal reasoning or the words and teachings of others.
But that is false hope.
Real hope is based only on the true words of God Himself!

The hymnwriter, Edward Mote, put it this way in 1834:
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Looking around at the world today, we see chaos and confusion, despair, and discouragement.
As Christmas bells peal out the message of Christ’s birth, perplexed hearts find little reason to rejoice. But, once again, that is due to a misunderstanding of the meaning of that special birth.

The birth was only the beginning. God, becoming like us in every way, yet without sin so that He could take on Himself the punishment we deserve for our sins.

One of my favorite Christmas tree decorations has the words “Born for us” above a picture depicting the baby in the manger. On the other side of the ornament are the words “Borne for us” above a picture of the cross where Jesus, God’s Son, died taking the punishment for our sins! That tells the story – the reason He came, the reason we celebrate His birth. He came for us so that we could be reconciled to God.
And that …
THAT is a reason for Joy! We have hope!

This song, written by Norman J. Clayton in 1945, comes to mind:
“My hope is in the Lord who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.

And now for me He stands before the Father’s throne;
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.

His grace has planned it all, ‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.”

May your heart overflow with Joy and rejoicing as you celebrate THE ONE who came for you!!

Merry Christmas,
Ruth