THE LORD IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN INDEED
Every year Christians around the globe commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His life, death and resurrection from the grave revolutionized the world for ever. Christ became the central figure in world history. In fact, the time before Christ is known as B.C., and the era after Christ is called A.D. or Anno Domini - Latin for "in the year of our Lord".
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, those who passed by hurled insults at him, shook their heads and said, "Save yourself. Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God." The cruel nature of sin, that can even mock and crucify God Himself. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 3:23 & 6:23) It's you,
Lord God, made Good Friday good by turning history's darkest day into the greatest blessing possible;
Easter Sunday. Our joy is immeasurable on this day of Resurrection. We are moved to exclaim,
"THE LORD IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN INDEED.
When God was faced with a lost world, His way of saving that world was to lose Himself. John the Baptist exclaimed when he saw Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Christ knew how He was going to carry out His earthly mission.
During the exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel sinned in the desert. As a result of their sin, snakes bit and killed hundreds of them. Then Moses cried to the Lord, and the Lord said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who has been bitten can look at it and live." (Num. 21:8) "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."(John 3:14-15) The cross is held up to us- 'God so loved the world'.
The cross is the solution to the world's suffering, it is the salvation of each human being as we accept that love which is offered on the cross. The elimination of wars, human sufferings and enmity between nations can only be accomplished as the world and its organizations come to the cross with a submissive heart. What a day that would be, if it ever happens. All other human powers and efforts will have no avail.
For almost 300 years, the Roman government tortured, persecuted and brutally slaughtered thousands of Christians including women and children. The saying, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" had become a reality. But amazingly, God in His mercy, touched the heart of Emperor Flavius Valerius Constantine, and he embraced Christianity. Through a declaration by Constantine, the Great Roman Empire, which butchered numerous Christians, became a Christian nation. "For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The word of God continues to challenge the so called intellectuals of this world, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (1 Corithians 1:20.) Do the worldly intellectuals have an explanation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
One of the thieves who was crucified with Jesus saw the love of God in Christ and turned to him pleading, "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." The centurion who was guarding Jesus was terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Saul of Tarsus, who was breathing out murderous threats against Christ's disciples had an encounter with the Lord himself. As he neared Damascus on his journey, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you Lord?" Saul asked. The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." At this turning point in the life of Saul, or St. Paul, he wrote, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1Cor.2:2) The one who persecuted the Christian church became an Apostle to promote and evangelize the Christian faith. How amazing is the power of the love of God. "God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God is still in the business of changing hearts and saving people from their sin.
Jesus came into this world to seek the lost. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10) Also Jesus said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32) Demonstrating the love of God on the cross, he prayed for his murderers, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The value of a single soul is so precious in the sight of God. Jesus says, "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Though Easter has come and gone, Lord of all, we remember that the Risen Christ remains among us as He
said; "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28. 20b) He is Alive.
"I serve a risen Saviour, He is in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives to-day!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way,
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! you ask me
How I know He lives? He lives within my heart..
I hope and pray that you may find peace and salvation at the foot of 'His cross'.
Wish you a blessed Resurrection.
Fr. Mathew Zachariah, Colorado
**We are blessed with a great Easter message from our Respected Fr. Mathew Zachariah. Our readers are familiar with the writings of Fr. Zachariah. Thanks to our beloved Achan for the great message for our readers
Humbly
New World Editorial Baod
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