Our Assured Faith

"They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" (Luke 24:37-39).

Having taken a few days of a mini-vacation to care for some family needs and personal rest my travel on long stretches of lonely highway gave time to reflect. Often I find that driving gives time to think, (as most would agree the long stretch of highway between Redding and Sacramento is boring) and my mind turned to this time of the year when we celebrate (weird isn't it; we celebrate) the death of a man some 2,000 years ago. A man whose biography little is known. Images of Jesus, beaten, hanging on a cross, spear wound in His side, the nail scared hands depicted in many forms. Sermons, on the cross, the garments being wagered fill the pulpits on this day. Juxtaposed against such scenes is the Easter Bunny, brightly colored eggs, baskets with filled with candy and a chocolate Easter Bunny. Commercial advertising, stores filled with such things to make this day a profitable holiday. It has become as important a holiday as Christmas in that stock markets, financiers, corporations need the patronage to boost sales and profits. Cards with the slogan "Happy Easter" brightly filled with wonderful sayings to be given to friends and loved ones. Have we have missed the point of the crucifixion of Jesus?

Our Creator, Yahweh, the God of the Universe, came to this earth, to His creation as the Son of God to die for the payment for our (not His) sins. That thought invades my mind with poignancy; that God would love me so much that He would come to my world take on flesh just to save me. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29)! To do this saving work He had to die, a perfect life lost in Eden bringing death into this world redeemed by a perfect life dying to remove death and its sting to this world. That life instilling death could only take affect if He (Jesus) would defeat death by rising to life again. Luke the evangelist writes that Jesus did rise from the death, "While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you" (Luke 24:36).  To show those frightened disciples that he was real, not a ghost, some figment of their imagination, Jesus showed them His hands and feet. This was not enough proof, they still did not believe for they were so filled with joy and amazement that their minds could not fully grasp the truth. He was alive! Therefore, Jesus asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat? Thy gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence" (Luke 24:41b-42).

In writing to the Corinthian church Paul reminds them of the "Good News" (gospel); "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born" (1 Corinthians 15: 3-11; emphasis mine).

If this death, and resurrection was a lie it would have been exposed for there were many witnesses to his death and resurrection. We can be assured that we have a risen Savior, that he did ascend into heaven taking his sacrifice for our sins to the Father. All we have to do to receive that salvation is put our faith and trust in Him and we have the assurance that we will be saved and eternal life with our Creator and Savior is ours. Yes, in somberness I reflect on the suffering Christ endured for me, no "Happy Easter" card needed, no basket full of "goodies" needed, I am reminded that Jesus lived and died by "our rules." He did not give in to Satan in the desert to use his Godliness and He did not use His Godliness to save Himself from the suffering on the cross. He died as a man would die. Then, my mind is turned to the most important, HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD! HE IS ALIVE! HALLELUJAH!  Now I can say "HAPPY EASTER" bring on the basket of 'goodies' let me celebrate his ascension into heaven for that is the "first importance" He sits at the right hand of the Father and is making intercession for me. Now that is something to celebrate. Teach your children the somberness of the cross, but most important teach the assurance of the resurrection for there we have assured hope (Hebrews 11:1).

Daily Prayer:

Father in heaven, how do I thank you? You sent Your Son to die on a cross to a people so undeserving. You offer to all redemption and eternal life with You. How can I be silent? My children, family, friends, and those I work with need you as much as I do. Guide me into a deeper worship of You so that my life shines forth You so that my world can come to see You and want You and come to accept Your Son Jesus as their Savior. I meditated upon the importance of this celebration, I am humbled, and yet rejoice.  Thank You My God And Savior!                                                                                         Amen