He is Risen !!!
Each year (and I can't wait for you to join us!) we celebrate this Easter Sunday as our greatest day! And it's because this God-man named Jesus stood in our place of guilt and took the punishment due us for our desire to love ourselves above the One who created us (as you are now being created in your mother's belly). And we also celebrate because, though His taking of our punishment was complete, it did not triumph over Him... He won! It's His greatest day too!
So today we party and laugh and eat and drink and dance and run and shout and seek to live in this hope - Jesus who was chosen by God (that's what the words Messiah and Christ mean) now lives in us today and every tomorrow after us!
At the right moment we will meet, little granddaughter.
And the first thing I will do is give you the sign of the instrument of His death on your forehead... my prayer that He will mark you by His new way of life.
See you soon!
Disciples John and Peter on their way to the Tomb on Easter Morning
Eugene Burnand, 1898
John 20:1-18
Lord, you have passed over into new life, and you now invite us to Passover also. In these past days we have grieved at your sufferings and mourned at your death... Now at Easter you reveal to us that we have died to sin, passing over to your risen life! BERNARD of CLAIRVAUX
Lord, you have passed over into new life, and you now invite us to Passover also. In these past days we have grieved at your sufferings and mourned at your death... Now at Easter you reveal to us that we have died to sin, passing over to your risen life! BERNARD of CLAIRVAUX
