“I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” John 11:25
Easter Sunday 2020 was the first Easter in my memory that I did not attend church services. Even in my husband’s final illness, my daughter stayed with him so I could sing in the choir. So I was not anticipating the God moments I experienced watching services at home on my I-pad and TV. In fact, I was able to watch several services at the same time! To my delight, each pastor gave a clear gospel message! During this Coronavirus crisis, I wondered how many Americans watching would take God at His word, repent, believe and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord?
The first message was from Central Park in New York, with Franklin Graham. He talked about Easter being the greatest love story ever told! At the cross, calamity and hope collided. The field hospital is a place of calamity or death for some, but also a place of healing (hope) for others. Dr. Graham spoke about those in Jesus’ day who were without hope: Bartemaus, the Leper and the disciples in the storm. Bartemaus was a poor blind beggar. He heard someone say, “Jesus is passing by.” He cried out, “Jesus have mercy on me!” There was no cure for blindness in the first century, but Jesus stopped and healed him. The Leper hadn’t been touched in years. Social distancing was a stone’s throw in that day. Jesus touched the Leper and healed him. The disciples were afraid in the storm, but Jesus spoke and the waves calmed. Jesus came to rescue us from our sins. We are all guilty before God, but Jesus hung on the cross and took the punishment we deserve. He died, rose again and today, we serve a Risen Savior!! In Jerusalem, there is an empty tomb!
The president invited everyone to watch a service with him on Easter morning, from Dallas Texas. It piqued my interest to see who the pastor was and what would he preach? Another message of hope! He gave three reasons Jesus had to die.
- Jesus had to die to give His life a ransom for many. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.
- The empty tomb proves that Christ conquered death. The disciples didn’t remember He said he would rise again, but his enemies did. They posted a Roman guard of 16 soldiers and set a seal. Matthew 27:66.
- The empty tomb proves that Christ will deliver us from death. He is the first fruits of all who believe. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” John 11:25.
Then I had the privilege of watching my own church livestream. I heard another gospel message with a different slant, but a similar theme: God is our Hope! I heard about the scourging that Pilate ordered, even though he admitted Jesus had done nothing worthy of death! He mentioned how after the resurrection, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a women who had 7 demons cast from her. I love this story! Jesus didn’t appear first to Peter, the disciples or religious leaders. He appeared to a woman who had been transformed by His love and knew the depth of her sin. All of the disciples were changed because Jesus is in the business of transforming people! Paul, who said he was the worst of sinners, wrote: “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! It was a good day!
Your friend, Jean