Because He Lives
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16, 17 (KJV)
We’re looking forward to celebrating Easter in a few days, and Easter means different things to different people. When I was a child in the island, it meant delicious Easter bun, eaten with imported cheese (a rare treat) on Good Friday. It meant a new dress, usually white, and it meant an area garden party. In my adult years, after reading the Gospels all the way through several times, I have developed an altogether different picture of the season. Easter reminds me of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, and suffered a cruel death on a cross all because of His love for humanity even down to this age to include me. The Scriptures tell us, “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 51:5).
Many sermons will be preached in churches on Easter weekend, and there will be cantatas and pageants commemorating the death and resurrection of our Lord, but a song by Bill and Gloria Gaither really captures for me what Easter means..
“God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He bled and died to buy my pardon.
An empty grave is there to prove my Jesus lives.”
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, let us remember the great cost of the penalty for our sin. With His death and resurrection, Christ put eternal life within our grasp. Because He lives, we too can live.
Always,
Judith
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:25 (NKJV)
______________________________________________________________________________________
4 Comments
Fartema
It’s truly ‘Because He Lives’ that I live. I have fond childhood memories of Easter centered around good food and fellowship with Christian believers. Easter dresses. Scriptural recitations, songs (‘He Arose’ was my fav
Judith Nembhard
Easter memories. I see you have them too. So many good things associated with the blessed time that we, as children, missed the real reason for the celebration. It’s good that we learned later what Easter really means; the Resurrection is central to our salvation. Thank God for the Resurrection! JN
Fartema
(Continued..)
‘He Arose’ was my favorite song.
This past Sabbath I attended a Women’s Retreat. My fondness for this season was reignited by the spiritual experience of worshipping with the women who attended the retreat. The theme, ‘Here Comes the Son’ was a reminder that the Son is coming soon. The special music vocalist sang ‘Midnight Cry’.
Come Lord Jesus!
Judith Nembhard
Hi Fartema,
This time of year is a good time to go on a retreat, enjoying the lovely, refreshing season, and fellowshiping with like-minded women. With reference to the retreat’s theme, may the the Son continue to be risen in our hearts. JN