Is Light Dimming and Darkness Winning? 3. No! Because of Easter!

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying,

“ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is,
“MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
(Matthew 27: 45-46)

Jesus Christ uttered this mournful cry from His Cross on that first “Good Friday.”  The Apostle John standing with Jesus’s mother Mary a foot of the Cross heard Jesus’s words.  Later, the Apostle Matthew, once a hated tax collector, recorded the words.  Before Jesus gave up His life, John and Mary would hear His final words, “It is finished” (John 19: 30, 33).  Having witnessed the crucifixion, suffering, and death of Christ on a Roman Cross, John later wrote, these words have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20: 31).

At the foot of the Cross, John must have been tempted to agree with Satan and the powers of darkness.  Indeed, darkness seemed to have overtaken the light.  God the Father had forsaken His Holy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and Christ’s death was the end, accomplishing nothing.  But this great error in thinking lies in the promise God made thousands of years earlier as recorded in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. 

Genesis 3 reveals the beginning of the story of Easter, the Cross, and the Resurrection of Christ.  The rest of the Bible is the unfolding account of a perfect creation, the fall of man into sin, an infinite separation between holy God and sinful man, and reconciliation by the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Holy Son of God.  This is the account of the Gospel, the “Good News” that Jesus came as fully God and fully human, lived a sinless life, was crucified and rose again to open the way to Eternal Life in Heaven to all who call upon Him by faith in Jesus’s atoning sacrifice for sin.   Far from dimming the light on that first “Good Friday,” Christ’s death opened the Way to Eternal Life and Light.

Below is a series of seven daily readings that reveal elements of the “Good News.”  Our theme is “From Alienation and Separation to Reconciliation.”  We hope you will understand even more clearly the significance of Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection to your life personally.  This is the real reason for celebrating Easter.

Day 1:  God Is Good
Scripture:  Genesis 2: 7-9
Interpretation:  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth for His glory and pleasure.  He created the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground and placed him in a perfect environment, the Garden of Eden.  Out of His goodness, God saw that it was “not good” for the man to be alone.  So, God created woman from bone taken from Adam’s side so the she could be his helpmate (Genesis 2: 18-25).  When God had finished His creation, He took pleasure in it and saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good (Genesis 1: 31).  God had created numerous kinds of trees bearing fruit for Adam and Eve to enjoy (v. 16).  But He also set a boundary around one of the many trees, saying, from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die (v. 17).  As long as they followed His command, Adam and Eve enjoyed sinless communion with God and walked with Him in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3: 8). 

Application:  We have seen that the goodness of God was obvious in His Creation and its overflowing benefits to Adam and Eve.  Centuries later, God revealed Himself to Moses at Mount Saini with these words, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands… (Exodus 34” 6-7a).  God reveals His goodness both in His Word and in His creation. 
Ask Yourself:  Do you believe God is good?  Was God any less good for commanding man not to eat of one of the trees?

Day 2: God’s Goodness Questioned
Scripture:  Genesis 3: 1-6
Interpretation:  Adam and Eve had enjoyed perfect communion with God and walked with Him in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3: 8).  That is, until Satan came questioning God’s integrity and authority: Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden (Genesis 3: 1)’?  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat (Genesis 3: 6).  Satan had successfully appealed to the “cravings of the flesh, the longing of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2: 16).”  First, he tempted the woman; then the man.  Both succumbed to Satan’s temptations and they chose to eat.
Application:  When God had commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He warned, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die (Genesis 2: 17).  But in spite of this stern warning intended out of the goodness of God’s nature and for the protection of His human image bearer, Adam took and ate the forbidden fruit.  Satan had convinced Adam that God was not good.   Otherwise, why would God keep Adam from enjoying something so inviting to him?
Ask Yourself:  Can you remember thinking that God is keeping something better from you?  Do you question God’s goodness at times?  To be tempted is not sin.  It’s only when we yield to it that we sin.  What is James’s solution?   See James 4: 6-10.

Day 3:  Religion: The Human Solution

Scripture:  Genesis 3: 6-8
Interpretation:  When Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened.  They became conscious that something had changed.  They had changed!  Their consciences were awakened to realize they had violated a moral standard of God.  They responded by hiding from God among the trees and hiding their bodies from each other by clothing themselves with fig leaves.  Their intimacy with a holy God and with each other were destroyed and replaced by guilt, shame, and alienation.  
Application:  Adam and Eve’s answer to their guilt and shame reveals to us their choice of religion—i.e. their approach to gain right-standing with a holy God.  They chose a “hands on approach,” trying to be presentable to God in their “fig leaf clothes.”  Their approach was the beginning of what we now call “good works salvation.”  Justification by works rather than yielding through faith to receive God’s forgiveness and reconciliation.  Thankfully, God is good, and He has a better plan for our reconciliation.
Ask Yourself:  Can you relate to Adam and Eve’s fear and shame when you recall a time when you rebelled against the authority of a parent, teacher, employer, or government?  Romans 5: 12 describes how we were all born with Adam’s sin nature.  But we have hope in Christ (Romans 5: 1).

Day 4: Relationship: God’s Solution
Scripture:  Genesis 3: 8-24

Interpretation:  Adam and Eve, God’s image-bearers, had rebelled against His moral guidelines—i.e. they had committed sin.  Consequently, their intimate communion with God and between each other was replaced by guilt, shame, and alienation.  What’s more, Adam and Eve were hiding, wanting to be free of God and the consequences of His standards.  Does that sound familiar to you?  Today, many have rejected God, and the increasing lawlessness and chaos in our land shows what happens when God and His standards are not upheld.  Adam and Eve were the first humans to experience the consequences of violating God’s standards, and yet they sinned even more by blaming each other (v. 12-13).  But God’s goodness showed forth again.  He went seeking the sinners!  God called to Adam, “Where are you?”  What a profound, soul-searching question.  God already knew the answer, but Adam and Eve felt guilty and afraid!  

Application:  You may recall times when you have acted badly, perhaps even as a child.  You felt the guilt and separation from your parent or parents. Hopefully, you can also remember the stern but loving discipline you received, sometimes with a spanking; and then, how their correction brought peace to your soul.  But how could God who is Holy, and therefore cannot let sin go unpunished, atone (“make reparation for, cleanse, cover the sin”) for sinful humans without compromising His own integrity?  First, God followed the chain of blame from the husband to his wife who then blamed the Tempter (v. 12-13), and then, He pronounced the curse and consequences of sin upon each party (v. 14-19).  God wanted Adam and Eve to admit their sin.  But in His perfect love, God also wanted to redeem (“buy back”) His broken image-bearers and all of His creation from an infinite separation.  He also wanted to judge Satan.  But how could God do this?  The answer is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
Ask Yourself:   Many believe that if we could eliminate the notion of God and His absolutes of right and wrong, there would be no sin—no consequences of guilt and shame when we think or act badly?  But wouldn’t the result be lawlessness and chaos?   Thankfully, there is a God who loves us.   Each of us must give an account and answer God’s question to Adam, “Where are you?”  Where you are in relation to God?  Without forgiveness of sin, we are infinitely separated from God.

Day 5: Covered by Blood, Not Fig Leaves
Scripture:  Genesis 3: 17-21; Romans 5: 12; John 1: 29
Interpretation:  We left you somewhat hanging yesterday with “holy dilemma.”  How could God who is Holy and cannot let sin go unpunished, atone (“make reparation for, cleanse, cover the sin”) for sinful humans without compromising His own integrity?  After confronting Adam and Eve with their sin, the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife (Genesis 3: 21).  God would offer a far more costly sacrifice than a religious, fig leaf covering.  The Creator of animals had to sacrifice innocent animals—innocent because they were not morally accountable like the humans were!  God’s covering of Adam and Eve’s nakedness required the shedding blood.  This first blood sacrifice, and then all of the animal sacrifices offered by the Jewish temple priests in the nation of Israel were a foreshadowing of the Man who would come as the Perfect Lamb of God and offer Himself to atone for the sin of mankind.
Application:  Adam’s sin had great consequences.  Back on Day 3, we referred to Romans 5: 12 which states that as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned…  The stark truth from God is, “ALL have sinned!”  If this is true, could any of Adam’s descendants dare offer himself as a sinless sacrifice?
Psalm 49: 7-8 reveals,  
No man can by any means redeem his brother
    Or give to God a ransom for him—
For the redemption of his soul is costly,
   And he should cease trying forever—

Ask Yourself:  Would you deny your standing before God as a child of Adam who bears the curse of sin worthy of death (Romans 5: 12)?  Or would you dare to offer yourself as a sinless sacrifice to redeem others as Jesus did?  Unless we trust in the redemption of the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God we remain in darkness and in infinite alienation from God.  Do you know Him personally?

Day 6: Our Creator Became the Lamb
Scripture:  John 1: 1-5; 10-14; Luke 4: 1-13 Hebrews 9: 13-14; Genesis 3: 14-15;
Interpretation:  Who is this Man called “the Lamb of God?”  Chapter 1 of the Gospel of John identifies the Lamb as Jesus Christ, “the Word of God” who “was God.”  This “Word became flesh and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth.”  John the Baptist, Jesus’s forerunner who preached repentance of sin, pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1: 29).”  Jesus Christ was fully God and fully human.  He was born the “seed of the woman,” but not from the seed of His earthly father, Joseph (Genesis 3: 15; Matthew 1: 20).  In 1 Corinthians 15: 47, we read, Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.  Christ was fully God, the Creator of the first Adam; yet He was fully human, born of Mary, as the “second Adam.”
Application:  Christ, the second Adam, came as a perfect Man, but He constantly battled horrendous temptations from the Tempter, and physical and emotional sufferings, aimed to cause Him to sin and fail like the first Adam.  The Gospel accounts tell of the many ways Jesus was attacked.  But He continually depended on His Father in Heaven and remained the sinless Lamb.  The Jewish priests had offered sacrificial lambs for over 1,500 years, but they were not sufficient to fully cleanse from sin.  In Hebrews 9: 13-14, we read:  For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 
Ask Yourself:   According to the Jewish calendar, they selected a “lamb without blemish” five days before offering it in the sacrifices of their Passover celebration.  In order to fulfill God’s prophetic calendar, Jesus, God’s perfect Lamb, entered Jerusalem riding on a lowly donkey, on “lamb selection day.”  During the Jewish Passover, God’s Lamb was slain for the sins of the world, including for you and for me.  Take time to read beginning in John 12 and respond as appropriate in repentance and in worship of the Lamb who gave His life redeem us from sin and death.

Day 7:  Darkness Breaks into Dawn’s Brightness
Scripture:  John 18-20; Luke 24: 1-35
Interpretation:  John 12-17 gives us an inspiring account of Jesus’s final days.  They were filled with drama, hateful accusations met with His gracious manner, and intimate times alone with His disciples to prepare them for His suffering and death.  Our Scriptures for today tell of Jesus’s arrest, trials, Peter’s denial, and Jesus’s sentence to be crucified (John 18).  Jesus was mocked, brutally beaten, and eventually sentenced to carry His Cross to Golgotha.  There He was crucified according to a method of the Romans designed to cause excruciating suffering on the way to death (John 19).  In Philippians 2: 6-8 we read, Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Jesus who was infinitely Holy experienced humanly the infinite alienation from God that is our condition without God’s redemption.

Application:  Our theme, “Is Light Dimming and Darkness Winning?” may have been the question of Jesus’s followers during the succession of terrible events of “Passion Week.”  The death and burial of Christ appeared to be a victory for Satan and the powers of darkness.  But we read in John 20 that on what we now call Resurrection Sunday, Mary Magdalene found the stone rolled away from Jesus’s tomb and His body was not there.  Matthew 28: 6 reports that an angel had told Mary, He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.  As the good news spread, the darkness of doubt and despair gave way to the bright light of hope.  The Risen Christ showed Himself to His disciples and hundreds of followers.  He also explained at length to two men who were “slow of heart to believe” how His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24: 25-27). 
Ask Yourself:  Are you a “fool, slow of heart to believe?”  If you have never trusted Christ and developed a personal relationship with Him, we hope this series of devotionals has made the Gospel (“Good News”) clearer to you.  For believers, we hope these readings have been an inspiring part of your commemoration of this Easter season.

Easter:  Celebrating the Resurrection of a Loved One
Easter morning, or better “Resurrection Sunday,” carries a special significance to all who realize that the Empty Tomb is evidence that there is hope beyond the grave.  Although Christ-followers still grieve when loved ones die in Christ, we do not “grieve as those who have no hope” in life after the grave (1 Thessalonians 4: 13).   Proof of our faith is the wellspring of hope that helps us bear the sting of death of a loved one.

This Easter season, God gave us reason to claim our hope in the Resurrection and the reality of life after death.  Yesterday, March 21, our dear sister (-in-law), Donna Kohler Moore, said “Good-bye” to her husband, Larry, her daughter, Stacey, her son, Keith, their families, plus six sisters (Alvadell “Abby”, Shirley, Betty, Mary, Audrey, and Verna), and nieces and nephews.  Her life was a shining testimony of the Life of Christ in her.  Donna loved and respected her first husband, Roy.  Following Roy’s death to cancer, she loved and respected her second husband, Larry.  Her impact upon her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and over three decades of students in her elementary school and Sunday School classes will be evident in their lives for years to come.

After battling cancer for over 10 months, a few days ago became Donna’s “graduation day” to Heaven.  Many loving family members gathered around her bed and celebrated her life by singing some of her favorite hymns, including “In the Garden” and “Amazing Grace.”  Even in her largely unresponsive state, Donna’s lips moved as if to sing along.  Minutes later, alone in her bedroom, Donna took the hand of Jesus her Savior who lead her into the glorious presence of God where she joined her loved ones who have gone before.  

In a twinkling of an eye, Donna was gone from us but we will see her again because Jesus gave His life to close an infinite gap of our separation from God by faith in His shed blood on His Cross.  When we simply look in faith to the Cross as Donna did, darkness gives way to the light of the dawn of the Resurrection of the Risen Christ.

Care to Comment?
If you have questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.  Maybe you would like to share a spiritual insight or recommend a devotional source.  Just post a “Comment” below or e-mail to silviusj@gmail.com 

If you have never encountered the “Good News” or Gospel, let us help.   The “Good News” is summarized in an outline called “Steps to Peace with God” (Click HERE.).  It explains God’s love, our predicament (sin and separation from God), what Jesus has done to address our predicament, and what you can do by faith to receive God’s righteousness (right standing with a Holy God).  Hope you will have the Joy of Easter!

Music: Comfort and Inspiration During Isolation

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives
                                                                 - Matthew 26: 30.

Today, we celebrate the Risen Christ.  But on that first Resurrection Sunday, Jesus’ disciples were still feeling the same confusion and fear they had experienced on that terrible Thursday night when He was taken from them.  On that night, in the “upper room” their anxieties and fears must have been calmed at least somewhat when they joined with Jesus in singing a hymn together before they all “went out” to the Garden of Eden (Matthew 26: 30).

Although we celebrate the Risen Christ today, much uncertainty and fear still hovers over us and people around the world as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten our lives and way of life.  But once again in the midst of sadness and confusion, music can lift our souls. 

Recently, Stelios Kerasidis, a 7-year-old Greek musical prodigy applied his gift of music to relieve the anxiety from social distancing during the pandemic.  Please take a moment to enjoy his “Isolation Waltz.”

Far beyond its entertaining value, there is something about music that brings a calming, soothing effect to our souls.  It is interesting to imagine how we might have felt if we had been there with the men or women who broke bread, drank from the cup, and then sang with Jesus in that “upper room.” I wonder if Jesus sang along with His disciples.  How did His voice sound? 

As you imagine Jesus singing, we ought to realize that Jesus is the Divine Creator of the physical vibrations of sound and music.  In fact, do you realize that Jesus was present and working in the creation, likely singing along with the angels as an expression of His joy over His work?  In what may be the oldest book of the Bible, God speaks to Job with these words:

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
     Tell Me, if you have understanding,
Who set its measurements?  Since you know.
     Or who stretched the line on it?
On what were its bases sunk?
     Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
     And all the angels shouted for joy?  - Job 38: 4-7

Even more amazing and assuring in times of trouble is the fact that God is a “Mighty Warrior” to protect His own from the enemy; and, He rejoices over His own with singing.  Zephaniah writes (3: 17),

The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.

Likely, Jesus did sing with His disciples on that dark night as He anticipated His suffering and death.  How would it have been to experience those final hours Jesus spent with His disciples?
What expression was on His face?   Was it assuring to the disciples even though His heart was heavy?  Which if any of the psalms recorded in our Bibles might they have sung?  (Note that Psalms 113-118 were traditionally sung by the Jews during Passover.)  If they chose Psalm 118, who among them chose it?  Especially Psalm 118: 24 is meaningful for us to consider in light of why Jesus came and what He would be facing in the hours ahead: 

This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

As we awaken each day, Psalm 118: 24 is a great verse of acknowledgement that God is giving us another day to live.  Even in the midst of pandemic, music from the Scriptures or from inspired writers and composers can lift our souls and give assurance of our faith in the Everlasting God.

Finally, an important part of God’s plan for His beloved human creatures is that we unite with others in a community of worshipers—i.e. disciples (willing learners and followers of Christ), mutual encouragers, and witnesses of God’s Gift of salvation.  Inviting the Word of God into our lives daily and making music together continues to be an integral part of the worship and service of dedicated Christ-followers.  Colossians 3: 16 instructs us (emphasis mine):

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

What Do You Think?
Musicians among readers of this article are welcome to add insights from your understanding of music as God’s creation and gift.  Or, maybe one of you is inspired to imagine and express how you would have felt during the Last Supper with Jesus.  Just use the “Comment” link to add your thoughts.

I Hope You Will Take Time to meditate on the significance of this Easter Season, especially in light of the pandemic that is upon us.  If you feel anxious, you will find that the music and lyrics of great hymns and Gospel-based contemporary music will comfort your soul.   Maybe you will find comfort and blessing from a couple of my favorites for this Easter as follows:

Your Grace Finds Me by Matt Redman
Behold The Lamb (Communion Hymn) - Keith & Kristyn Getty
Power of the Cross - Keith & Kristyn Getty
Is He Worthy? – Chris Tomlin

The Psalms are a key part of the music and worship of Jewish people, and of the Christian faith that God has established through Jesus Christ.  Today, many are finding peace and assurance in the psalms.  I have found comfort and encouragement lately from Psalm 61-63, 73, 91, 139, and 130.

If you do not have a personal relationship with the God who created the universe, including music itself, you can come to “know Him” personally through repentance and faith in Jesus.   Acting by faith to surrender your life to Jesus as your Savior and Lord is necessary to find true peace.   See Steps to Peace with God."  Or, you may contact me at silviusj@cedarville.edu.

I Humbly Dedicate this article to four friends and former colleagues at Cedarville University whose lives and music have been a blessing to Abby and I for many years:  
Lyle Anderson, Senior Professor of Music
Chuck Clevenger, Senior Professor Emeritus of Music
Michael P. DiCuirci, Senior Professor Emeritus of Music
Mark Spenser, Associate Professor of Music

Easter Mornings Are Still Earthshaking

Needless to say, March Madness is an earthshaking tradition in the American sports world, especially among college basketball fans.  The 2018 edition has offered no shortage of upsets. Most notably this year, the #1-seeded Virginia Cavaliers were dismantled by the University of Maryland-Baltimore Campus. 

Abby and I have enjoyed this year’s March Madness in spite of the fact that Villanova, in a hard-fought effort, edged out our WVU Mountaineers in their battle for the Elite Eight.  Then, last night, Villanova ended the valiant effort of the Michigan Wolverines, our second-favorite team, in their pursuit of the national championship.

"He is not here. He has risen..." Mt. 28: 6

But, exciting as the NCAA basketball tournament was, I have been impressed this year more than ever by another earthshaking historical event—one that continues to shake our world; namely, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Just as the news in March has been filled with stories of March Madness, so the nation of Israel was set on edge two-thousand years ago when Jesus Christ died and rose again.  What’s more, Christ’s miraculous death and resurrection made headlines because of accompanying religious, political, geological, and astronomical events.

The events of that first Easter are recorded in the New Testament Scriptures by four different gospel writers—Matthew (once a despised tax collector for the Romans), Mark (who may have witnessed Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane), Luke (a physician), and John (formerly a fisherman).  Jesus had left no doubt in the minds of the Jewish leaders that His aim was to present Himself as God’s Messiah--i.e. Almighty God incarnated in human flesh.  He authenticated His deity by His exceptional teaching and by His miracles which reinforced His teaching of God’s truth and brought human healing—e.g. healing the physically blind while bringing the light of truth to the spiritually blind.

On the first day of Holy Week known as Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey.  Scholars estimate that over 3,000,000 people were in Jerusalem at this time, including many who had traveled from other parts of the Middle East to celebrate the Jewish Passover.  What’s more, all of Jerusalem and the surrounding country were on a “news alert.”    Only a few days earlier, Jesus had performed His most earthshaking miracle to date—commanding his friend Lazarus to rise and come forth from a tomb where his body had been dead and decaying for four days (John 11).  Since then, crowds had been gathering to get a glimpse of two celebrities, Jesus the healer and Lazarus the man who had come back from the dead.

The raising of Lazarus from the grave and the triumphal entry of Jesus were just the first of several events that shook the Holy City of Jerusalem on what would become the first Easter.  Each of these events would have made “headlines” then as they would have in today's world.  Below, with accompanying Scripture references, are a few of the major headlines as they might have appeared if the events surrounding the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus had occurred during a modern week leading toward Good Friday and Easter:

Palm Sunday Edition:
Crowds Greet the ‘Son of David’ and Cry ‘Save Now’ from Roman Rule  – Matthew 21: 1-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 29-44; John 12: 12-19

Friday Edition:
Morning – PILATE, the Roman Governor’s, Verdict: “I Find No Fault in This Man” -- Luke 23: 4; John 19: 4

Afternoon – Entire Region Shrouded in Darkness—Noon Until Three O’Clock -- Matthew 27: 45; Mark 15: 33; Luke 23: 44-45

Afternoon – JESUS: “It Is Finished”—Veil in Temple Torn in Two from Top to Bottom -- Matthew 27: 50; Mark 15: 37; Luke 23:46; John 19: 30

Afternoon – EARTHQUAKE!  Rocks Split and Many Tombs Opened -- Matthew 27: 51-53

Resurrection Sunday Edition: 
EARTHQUAKE and Radiant Angelic Being Opens Garden Tomb: Guards Paralyzed in Fear!
     -- Matthew 28: 1-4; Mark 16: 1-4; Luke 24: 1-2; John 20:1

Garden Tomb Found Empty! Terrified Followers Now Emboldened After Seeing Jesus
     -- Matthew 28: 5-20; Mark 16: 5-19; Luke 24: 3-53; John 20-21

"Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the
things which have happened here in these days?" Luke 24:19

The events that we have highlighted above as news headlines were clearly evident to a majority of people throughout the region of Jerusalem on that first Holy Week.  Amazingly, the “braking news” of the sudden darkness, earthquake and splitting of rocks, the opening of tombs, and ultimately the missing body of Jesus all became breaking news without the benefit of newspapers and internet (Luke 24: 18). The political, geological, and astronomical immensity of these events make a strong case for the historicity and reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Christianity is unique among all religious faiths because it is founded upon the reality of the empty tomb and the Risen Christ (e.g. read 1 Corinthians 15).

Yet there is another factor of great importance to the Christian faith. In addition to the strong case for the historical events surrounding Christ's death and Resurrection, there is the reality that each believer experiences at the time when he or she personally recognizes through the work of God's Holy Spirit their sin and their need of a Savior.  Personal pride is replaced with brokenness and we experience the joy of forgiveness as we turn toward the loving face of Christ Who forgives us and makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5: 17). The Risen Christ becomes our Brother Who walks with us each day through His Holy Spirit (Romans 8).  The power of God displayed on that first Easter becomes evident when each person is transformed into a New Creature in Christ through faith (Romans 10: 8-17).

For Christ-followers, the reality of the Resurrection is renewed each week  as we gather on the first day  to worship the Risen Savior and encourage one another in our faith (Hebrews 10: 23-25).  Regular practice of the spiritual disciplines of prayer, reading of Scripture , worshiping together, and witnessing what Christ does in our lives--all of these are pleasing to God Who in turn strengthens our faith and grants us hope in our triumphs and trials as we await the return of Christ.

The fresh reality of the resurrected Christ was evident to me at our Sunrise Service this Sunday as we met at the three crosses erected on a hill near our church.  Together our faith was renewed as we reread the biblical account Jesus’ resurrection and sang several hymns of our faith.  But then, we were reminded that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is still at work to transform lives.  We listened to the testimony of one of our brothers in Christ, Darrell Ketler, whom God marvelously raised from spiritual death and defeat to make him a new creature in Christ.  With his permission, I will close by sharing a link to the video recording of Darrell’s testimony of God’s work in His life. 

How About You? 

Have you ever taken time to consider the account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?  Do you realize how well documented it is?  God now asks each of us the question, “What will you do with this man called Jesus?”  Like I once was, you may still be confused about Who God is and what He expects of you.  God knows just what you are thinking right now.  May I invite you to examine further the claims of the “Good News” or “the Gospel?”  Let me share a short presentation of the Gospel summarized in an outline from the Billy Graham Association called “Steps to Peace with God.” The outline explains God’s love, our predicament (sin and separation from God), what Jesus has done to address our predicament, and what you can do by faith to receive God’s righteousness (right standing with a Holy God).  If you have additional questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you.  Just post a “Comment” below or e-mail me at silviusj@cedarville.edu     

Seeing the World in A New Light

Today, many of us pause to remember the sacrifice of God's perfect Lamb, His Son Jesus Christ, to bear the sins of all mankind.  All we have to do is surrender our pride, realize that we are not saved by our good works--being nice, going to church, or giving to the poor.  Instead, we are saved so that we can have a "true love relationship" with our Creator God; then, He will help us do those good works by giving us His love for Him and our neighbor.  As John 3: 16 teaches us, we need only to receive God’s gift of salvation by faith.  As the hymn-writer, Isaac Watts, expressed it,

At the Cross--The Burden of my sin rolled away.

At the cross, at the cross
where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

The Bible uses examples of blind people receiving their sight in order to teach us how God can heal our "spiritual blindness."  John's gospel, Chapter 9, is an excellent story of the man who was blind since birth, and whom Jesus healed so that he could see the world for the first time.  Then, it tells how the man received his "spiritual eyesight" when he realized Who Jesus really was.  Here is part of the conversation between JESUS and “the MAN” born blind:

JESUS:  "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
MAN:   "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
JESUS:  "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you."
MAN:   "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him.

Notice that the man's experience was just as the hymn-writer recorded, “by faith I received my sight.”

Most people have what is considered "normal vision."  However, according to Looking Glass Optical, people who have Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) "may go through their lives not quite understanding the perception of color.  While they may be able to distinguish an array of shades, they will not be able to see specific colors."  Likewise, from God's perspective, human beings are spiritually blind until they are individually transformed by the power of His Spirit (Read 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6).  Like many who have CVD, their view of reality is diminished and they don't even realize it.

Jesus said to the Jewish leaders, "If you were blind [to spiritual things], you would have no sin [and would not be blamed for your unbelief]; but since you claim to have [spiritual] sight, [you have no excuse so] your sin and guilt remain (John 9:41 Amplified Bible).  Just as it is possible to be "spiritually blind" and not realize what it means to have the joy and peace of God in their lives, many who have CVD do not realize what they are missing in life.

Interestingly, Looking Glass Optical has now developed EnChroma glasses which have specialized lenses that filter out specific colors based on computer simulation"models that simulate colors and the extent of color vision deficiency."  The result--people with CVD can experience color in a new way using these glasses.

Noll Stafford and family when his color vision was restored.

Perhaps you have seen the YouTube video of the 66-year-old Lakeland, Florida man, Noll Stafford, who recently received EnChroma glasses so he could see color for the first time.  Seeing the glorious colors of the world around him was overwhelming to him and he could only weep for joy. 

This Easter, many will receive their "spiritual sight" and see Jesus for Who He is for the first time--the Lamb Who took our punishment for sin, and then rose from the dead to give us joy, peace, and Everlasting Life, beginning now.  Like the blind man of John 9, some see Jesus as only a good man who does nice things like healing people.  After awhile, the man began to realize that Jesus was a great prophet (John 9:17).  But, eventually as the man’s conversation with Jesus above records, he came to “see” Jesus as his Lord and Savior (John 9: 35-38).  Jesus had given the man  not only his “physical eyesight” but his “spiritual eyesight.”  His life would never by the same; and, neither is ours when we personally meet Jesus.

How About You?  Maybe you would like to know more about how Jesus restores “spiritual eyesight.”   God’s “Good News” is summarized in a simple outline called “Steps to Peace with God” which explains God’s love, our predicament (sin and separation from God), what Jesus has done to address our predicament, and what you can do by faith to receive God’s righteousness (right standing with a Holy God).  If you have additional questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you.  Just post a “Comment” below or e-mail me at silviusj@cedarville.edu