The challenges of life confront the peace of every generation. In my lifetime I’ve seen life’s challenges change. In my younger years I remember being let out of school early to see how fast I could get home in case of a nuclear attack. Today schools don’t practice these drills anymore, but rather drills relevant to this generation and context.
In the same way the Gospel message is challenged and threatened and it can be different for every generation, and cultural context. In some areas Religious extremists force their faith upon others in the belief it’s God’s will. Still there are others who in a less violent way reject God’s word and pursue a life of pleasure in every way. Man truly runs to the gates of hell at full speed.
In spite of man’s efforts to reject and deny God’s truth, God never stops pursuing His children through His plan of redemption. Despite our challenging Him and running from Him He still loves us enough to call us to himself; to save us from ourselves. Salvation, through faith in Christ, is the promise of eternal life. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
At the cross we witness the depth of the Father’s love, and justice. Jesus paid the demand by the Father I couldn’t because He loved me. He also loves you. God is love. (1 John 4:8) God is just. (Isaiah 30:18) The cross was the place where love and justice fully meet. However we know the cross isn’t the end of the story. God promised a king who would rule forever and ever.
Christ’s resurrection bore witness to God’s promise. Christ rose from the grave victorious over sin, death, and hell. And He is ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father! That is the message of hope and life we proclaim a broken and fallen world. We celebrate the Easter season with joyous hearts, for we’ve been given the greatest gift ever, new life in Christ Jesus! Share it with others, just as Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 28, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Happy Easter Everyone!