Happy Easter!
Greetings in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. (Matthew 28:6)
Because He Lives (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2tAhyXpRDJsZEJVWllJekJ4OG8
Song by Sarah Detweiler)
Today is Easter Sunday, the most precious day to all Christians who have faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and transgressions. But we all sinned against Him. Even one of His twelve disciples betrayed Him, and sold Him thirty pieces of silver.
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:14-16)
The twelve disciples lived together with Jesus for three years. They saw and experienced the miracles that Jesus performed, but their heart was not like that of Jesus.
They were also there when Jesus forgave a woman who was caught in adultery. The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought her, put her in front of the crowd, and asked.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” (John 8:4)
Jesus was calm and stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. Then the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)
Even so, all of His disciples flew when Jesus was arrested. None left. Before His arrest, Peter insisted “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” (Matthew 26:35a), but he also flew. Additionally, when Peter was confronted with people including a servant girl, he became even more sinful:
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)
While Peter denying Jesus from the fear of being arrested, Jesus directly saw Peter. Then Peter realized what he had just did – betrayed his Jesus. Peter wept bitterly, and Jesus forgave Peter.
Jesus was falsely charged by His own people. He was bitten, mocked and despised not because of His sins, but of the sins of those who were whipping and nailing Him and those who betrayed Him. Jesus forgave them and loved them, but the people crucified him on cross. Despite of this injustice and under the extreme pain and agony of the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a)
The pain, agony and injustice did not stop Jesus forgiving people even on the cross. While He was bleeding to death, He forgave one robber who was also crucified with Jesus. The robber asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) The robber received promise and peace from Jesus. Most of all, Jesus had to endure the pain on the cross up till his death on cross for our sins.
By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.(Luke 23:44-46)
Jesus had to endure the excruciating pain three more hours. He experienced the eternal separation from God for our sins. Then Jesus entrusted His spirit to His Father, while breathing the last breath on cross. Yes, we have to die for our sins, but Jesus, who is sinless, died for us as Prophet Isaiah prophesized :
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
However, Jesus’ death was not the end of the story. It was early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, two women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb of Jesus.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. The angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. (Matthew 28:5a-6)
It was the amazing scene that they could not believe. Jesus was not there in the tomb, where His body was laid. The angel did not stop there, and told “and now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
Yes, Jesus rose again form the death on the Easter Sunday. He conquered death. Thus, we have the hope in Jesus. Why? He became the first fruit of resurrection for all those who believe in Jesus Christ.
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthian 15:20)
As death came through a man by sinning, but the resurrection for the dead comes from Jesus. Today is the most joyful day to all those who believe Jesus as Savior because like Jesus, we will conquered the death. Praise the Lord, who loves us and forgives all our sins! Sing praises to the Lord, who became the first fruit for those who are believe in Him! In Hope, we are eagerly waiting for His second coming.
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Act 1:11)