The months of March and April are an exciting time of year as we experience the end of winter, the coming of spring, and the eternally true message of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. A favorite season of mine, spring brings a renewal of the beauty of God’s creation as we witness the emerging flowers, trees budding and bursting into leaves, and within six to eight weeks, the landscape will be a bright array of green. Some of the most beautiful days of the year will be witnessed during April with the unfolding of the splendor of God’s bountiful creation. Be sure you take some time to break away from the day-to-day grind of life and enjoy the handiwork of God that is most evident during the spring season of the year.
It is also a time to prayerful contemplate and study the last days of the earthly life of Jesus as he moved toward the culminating events of leading to his passion and crucifixion. He was fully aware of what was to come, and at any point, he could have chosen to remove himself from the course of events that clearly led to his death on “the old rugged cross” at Calvary. But Jesus remained faithful to the course that the Father had set for him. And more than 2,000 years later, we are people of the Cross and Resurrection because of his faithfulness and willingness to give his life sacrificially on the cross for the redemption of my sins – and your sins – and the sins of all people – without regard to race, color, ethnicity, or any other classification.
He died for all – and he arose on the third day for all – the tomb was empty on Sunday morning! Over the course of 40 days following the resurrection and leading up to his ascension into heaven, the resurrected Jesus made several appearances to his disciples and to others. We are people of the Cross and Resurrection – and we are people empowered by the presence of Jesus in our lives through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – the presence of Jesus/God in our lives today and until Jesus returns some day for his church or until we are called home to be with the Lord.
To my friends in the church, this is something to be excited about. This is something to celebrate. This is something to shout to the world. This is something to share with a world that is in desperate need of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Will we be faithful in working to reach the “lost and the least” in the name of the Resurrected Jesus? Will we live as people of the Cross and the Resurrection? Will be live as Christians are called to do – to follow the Great Commandment – to love God with all our “heart, soul, mind, and strength” and to “love our neighbors as ourselves?’
What an exciting message we have to share to the world!