Easter People!

Matthew 28

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, he rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here. He has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead! And look, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him.’ See, I have told you!”

8 They hurried away from the tomb, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”

They approached, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go, tell my brothers that they should go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Dear Easter People,

It is Easter! Sadly, this year we will not be able to gather together to celebrate the glorious good news of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The Savior has defeated death. He has opened the gates of heaven. He has brought us the peace of God. Whether we gather or not, the truth does not change. The tomb is empty. Jesus has risen, just as He said! 

Easter’s joy can too soon be replaced with the routine life and at worst this year with despair and fear over a world confronting a pandemic. This year we need to work harder to remember that the message of Easter gives us a new perspective upon life, on ourselves, and on our future! The current circumstances in our world put this truth to the test. 

Whether it is a worldwide virus, or a troubled marriage, or broken family. Whether we are suffering from unemployment, or sickness, or even the threat of death. We are Easter people! If death is conquered, despair and fear cannot triumph. Yes, we often struggle to recall this fact as we make our way through the routine of life, through its ups, and through its downs, even through a pandemic! Despair and fear may be our constant threat, but it cannot win. Christ is risen and with Him we too shall rise! We are immortal through Christ!

True, this world is a mess, but when has it not been. We are currently threatened by a worldwide virus. We may be facing financial strain. Our families may be stressed like never before.  Our leaders may be struggling to contend with current threats. All of these things are true and more. Yet Christ is still risen, we know a greater hope waits for us, the new heavens and the new earth. 

We are Easter people, set free and transformed by the fruits of Christ’s death, the death that He died for us. Despair and fear may be our constant struggle and our greatest temptation, but it has no legitimate place among us. We are Easter people! Easter is not just a season of the Church Year but a mindset, a perspective, and a shape of life. Sin has been forgiven, guilt no more chains us to our shame, life is not random but directed toward a goal, and death is no more the prison from which there is no escape.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Do not be afraid!

Pastor Oehlke

“I Know that My Redeemer Lives”

1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head!

2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

3 He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.

4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring my safely there.

8 He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”