What does Easter mean to you?
Good Friday, Lake Tapps,
At our monthly potluck last week, I asked the seniors what Easter meant to them. This week as we look forward to Easter Sunday, it’s not a bad question for all of us to consider.
The Apostle Paul considered this question too and gave us his conclusion in 1 Corinthians 15:13-19. He said that Easter, or the resurrection in particular, is the central focus of the whole Christian faith. He said that if there was no resurrection then our faith was in vain. Because of that, we should be most pitied for believing in something that has no power to save us. It would be just an illusion in our minds. Those are strong words. Why would Paul say such a thing? The answer is simple, and yet profound.
Last Sunday, we considered the role of Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for the payment of our sin debt and our sin nature. That’s what we believe, but is there any proof that the Father considered the death of His Son adequate payment for our debt? That’s where the resurrection comes in. It’s the proof that we need. Let me explain.
The Bible says that the wages, or result, of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The logical result of this is that everyone who sins will die, and conversely anyone who doesn’t sin will not die. But we know that on Good Friday Jesus did die and His body was placed in a tomb to await His eternal resting place. We also know that Jesus was fully God and was also fully man, and that He lived a sinless life. This results in a dilemma. A man (Jesus) lived a sinless life and should not die, but He was dead and so the Bible verse (Roman 6:23) is wrong, which we know can’t be.
To resolve this dilemma, the Father, through the power of the Spirit, raised the sinless man (Jesus) from eternal death. The Bible verse is now vindicated – sinless people don’t die. But the Father now has another problem. His wrath has been expended upon an innocent sinless man (Jesus). This violates His attribute of Justice. But rather than a problem, the Father now has an opportunity. He could credit the wrath poured out on Jesus as payment for our sins and pardon us and give us eternal life.
So, Paul was right after all. The resurrection is the key proof of our faith. It is the evidence that the Father has applied His wrath against our sin. It is the proof that we are indeed forgiven. Our faith is not in vain, we have a real faith, based on evidence and not just blind, wishful hope. In Acts 2:24, Peter stated that the resurrection of Jesus was the proof that the Father accepted the death of the Son for our sins.
Hallelujah. He is Risen. He is Risen indeed!!
Gary for the Elders and Council
Reminders -
Please join us this evening for our Good Friday service at 6:30pm! (livestream option available)
Enjoy a time of fellowship and a continental breakfast at 9am Easter morning before service at 10am
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Read about this week's Missionary Spotlight, Dave & Pam King.
Joining us via Livestream this Sunday? Click here to get the link for the Livestream.