We are smack dab in the middle of Eastertide celebration. Does it still feel like Easter to you? Has your life moved on to the more important issues of cutting grass, gardening, fishing, paying bills, vacation dreaming, or other things?
It is amazing how quickly "important issues" change when we come face to face with life-threatening challenges: heart attacks, cancer, shortage of air, near accidents, loved ones in harm's way.
On Easter I think I probably shocked my congregations when I said, "I do not care if you believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, your belief does not matter in this fact!" I think it caught their attention. Does it catch yours?
What you believe about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus does not change the facts of the Christian truthful message. God sent His one and only unique Son physically into this creation of His to rescue every human from sin, death and the devil. God planned for Jesus of Nazareth to die on the cross and pay Sin and sin's horrendous penalty. Justice's eternal demand was more than paid for by that man's one death.
The resurrection fact is the proof of the pudding. People, it happened! Jesus' resurrection is unlike what occurs from modern medical interventions or the true stories of the widow's son at Nain, Jairus's 12-year-old daughter or Lazarus' four-day return from the dead. They all have since died again.
Jesus resurrection is different. The collapsed, stiff spice-starched mummified grave wrappings were empty. Jesus' resurrected Body is mysterious - now like the angels of God yet with flesh and bone - never to die again. More sure than gravity, the ground we walk upon or the air we breathe. They will all pass away at the Second Coming of Christ Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus is certain
The Eleven, the women, the others were not looking for or expecting Jesus of Nazareth's return from the dead, they were surprised by this joyous truth! This important issue refocused their very lives. They lived and died for the resurrected Lord they knew. They learned that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus bought them forgiveness of sin and peace with God the Eternal.
It really does matter that you personally believe this resurrection truth. Will you live and die for the Lord Jesus Christ? Is your life refocused by Easter Truth? Do you know Jesus? He makes life different here and for all the future - trust Him today!
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Roger Yoder, pastor of Lock Haven United Methodist Parish.
