Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, Alleluia!

April 2017

These are indeed glorious words: “Christ the Lord is risen today.” There is such hope, comfort, and joy knowing Christ is risen. It was true for the disciples of old, and it is still true for us living today. Matthew 28:5-6 says, “But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The women were the last ones at the cross after Jesus died and the first ones at the tomb after He rose. In fact, Mary Magdalene was the first one to see the Lord and speak to Him.

Of all the holy days, Easter is the greatest of all. If Christ had not risen from the dead, we would still be in our sins. Jesus appeared to the women, to the two on the road to Emmaus, to the eleven disciples, and as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15, to over five hundred brethren and to himself as well.

Spring is a beautiful time of year for many reasons, the foremost of which is new life. The rain stops and the snows melts; the trees blossom, the flowers bloom, the sun shines, and the weather warms up. But spring would not be as special if Easter was not in it.

The Resurrection Day speaks of new life. Romans 6:5 says, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.” Because He lives, we live also! Alleluia!

Phillip Brooks once said, “Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith and Hope triumphant say, ‘Christ will rise on Easter Day.’” Good Friday leads to Easter Sunday, and Easter Sunday leads to heavenly glory. Of all the miracles in the Bible, the incarnation and the resurrection stand above the rest as the most powerful. The question for us is this: are we living with renewed hope, joy, and zeal in the glow of Easter? Let this be our portion every day as we live for our risen King. There is nothing greater than a risen Savior! Alleluia!