In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on!

. . . from the BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Why Seek Ye the Living Among the Dead?

It's impossible for us to imagine how crushed Jesus' disciples and followers felt in the two days following His crucifixion. How could Hope and Love itself, the greatest Light mankind had ever known, be destroyed by the ignorance and hate of sinful men? How could they have faith in something apparently so fragile, so mortal, so easily and quickly snatched away? What else could they see but the triumph of Satan and of Death, who had always ruled the world and, seemingly, always would?

And then, in the midst of blackest despair, the greatest miracle in all history . . .

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. (Luke 24:1-8)
On Christ's Resurrection and eternal Life hang our entire faith, and the Hope of all mankind. He didn't just tell us about Heaven, but lived the whole journey from humble birth, through death, to resurrection and Glory Everlasting right in front of our eyes. He not only died for us, but overcame death and lives for us as well--right now, every moment. Because of this, we have the promise of rising and living with Him and each other always, where there is no more suffering, no more tears. Because of Him, as Paul said to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:54-55),
Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?
A HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER TO EVERYONE!