you know.. lots of people show up-people you haven't seen since Christmas... or since cousin Betsy's wedding a few months ago... or Uncle Harry's funeral. Lots of "CYNICS" like to make jokes about people who show up for Church only on Easter and Christmas..Some "church folks" think it's sad that SOME people show up for church only on certain days...ok.... THINK ABOUT THAT ONE FOR A MOMENT.. REALLY???????
.. the truth is..
it's not a "joking" matter..
it's not "sad"
its a GLORIOUS wonderful day WHENEVER people gather together to sing Praises and Hear the Word preached...
it's a BEAUTIFUL BLESSING... cuz.....
It's one of those Sundays when the "church people" go the extra mile... to make sure there's plenty of parking...to make sure all the greeters and "welcomer's" are at the top of their game... it's the day when Pastors , Sunday School teachers, and Children's Church leaders make sure that the Gospel is presented... that the Good News of God's Love for sinners is proclaimed loudly and boldly . We want to share the encouragement of God's Word with those who are hurting... We want to remind them that the God who created them came to earth as a Man, He kept the whole law for His people- He suffered the punishment for our sins.. yes.. ON EASTER.. THE CHURCH GETS TO BE THE CHURCH...
we are blessed to PROCLAIM BOLDLY... this Man Jesus.. the Jesus of the Bible.. WAS EITHER a LIAR, a Lunatic, A Legend, or .. HE WAS.... and IS LORD( thank you C.S. Lewis) ...
and if HE was and IS LORD.. then HIS resurrection gives US HOPE.... He has conquered Sin and Death... through Him... we can KNOW the creator of the Universe,,, and we can take comfort in the fact that whatever is going on in the WORLD,, around us... and in our lives.. HE IS IN CONTROL.. He never leaves us nor forsakes us...
our Message EVERY Easter( YES.. EVERY DAY) should be like the one that Jesus preached on the very First Easter...
on the VERY FIRST EASTER .. Jesus burst forth from the grave... and whats the FIRST THING HE DID?? He decided to Take a WALK ( LUKE 24).
he came alongside two of His disciples who were feeling QUITE HOPELESS... they didn't recognize Jesus.. He asked them , " what are you discussing while you walk along?? One of the disciples named Cleopas said" You must be a stranger to Jerusalem?? haven't you heard about Jesus of Nazareth?? what happened to Him?? we had HOPED that He was the one who would redeem us.. but.. they crucified Him... and His body is gone from the tomb...
Cleopas was disappointed... feeling Hopeless.. He looked at what was happening ALL around HIM.. Fellow disciples denying Jesus.. many of them Running in fear,,- sadness and confusion EVERYWHERE.. Jerusalem was not a great place to have an " Optimist Convention"... No reason for" HOPE..."
Then Jesus preached the FIRST EASTER SERMON......He encouraged them from Moses and the Prophets( the Old Testament Scripture).. He reminded them that the Savior had to suffer these things for His people,.... yep.. Friday sure didn't LOOK LIKE A GOOD FRIDAY.. it seemed like a TERRIBLE FRIDAY.. but. Friday made Sunday possible... God is TOTALLY IN CONTROL... No matter what the NEWS IS in town... no matter the disappointments,.. the hopelessness that those disciples felt could not compare to the GLORIOUS HOPE of The Resurrection.. and ALL the events that surrounded it were part of God's plan....THERE IS HOPE....
no matter what is going on in the world.... around you.. or in your life... because Jesus rose from the Dead.... THERE IS HOPE....
Happy Easter from Mr. Callaway's Little Presbyterians
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