Glad to know that Jesus Christ
Made it possible for all
To have their sins forgiven
And, like Christ, to live again.

So at this joyous season
May the wondrous Easter Story
Renew our Faith so we may be
Partakers of “Christ’s Glory!”

Luke 24: 1 – 12

Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 15: 3 – 7, 12 – 58

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built, without it, there would be no Christian church today. Jesus’ resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and the afterlife, and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for God’s people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule the church forever. Why is the Resurrection so important?

(1)   Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth’s history. Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster. God’s mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus’ second coming.

(2)   Because of the Resurrection, we know that death has been conquered and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ.

(3)   The Resurrection gives authority to the church’s witness in the world. Look at the early evangelistic sermons in the book of Acts: The apostles’ most important message was the proclamation that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.

(4)   The Resurrection gives meaning to the church’s sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Like Jesus’ followers on the Emmaus Road, we break bread with our risen Lord, who comes in power to save us.

(5)   The Resurrection helps us find meaning even in great tragedy. No matter what happens to us as we walk with the Lord, the Resurrection gives us hope for the future.

(6)   The Resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling his kingdom. He is not a legend; he is alive and real.

(7)   God’s power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for him in an evil world.

Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, life-style, and even theology. But one central belief unites and inspires all true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

Thought for the day:  We serve an all powerful, all knowing, and all present God.

Prayer:  Lord, forgive my sins and keep me in your fold.  We give thanks and praise for your wonderful plan for us now and into eternity.  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Those who need to receive the gift of salvation.

Dick

we wait at the Lord’s tomb,

in prayer and fasting, meditation.

We reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross

for each of us . . .

We wait . . .

expectantly . . .

for the dawn of the resurrection.