One of my favorite hymns as a child was “He Lives!” I sang it with confidence for He lived within my heart just as the chorus declares:
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
Triumph Over Every Enemy
Now in a time when the whole world battles an invisible enemy, the Coronavirus, it is more imperative than ever to acknowledge a Savior who loves us, who gave Himself for us, and who rose to triumph over death, sin, and separation from God. Jesus is our salvation today as He was nearly 2000 years ago.
I serve a risen Saviour,
He’s 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
The Silver Lining in Every Dark Cloud
The silver lining to the ponderous, low hanging, ominous dark cloud of global pandemic is hope in the Lord’s salvation. In fact, this is not an unprecedented Easter season pandemic! During the first Passover 3300 years ago, the Jewish people were quarantined in their homes as God carried out the plague of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12). Just as God saved the Hebrew nation from Egyptian slavery through the Exodus, He is the answer to this pandemic and every dark cloud. Whatever your age and experience with disaster, illness, and loss, Jesus is the ultimate solution as prophesied by Isaiah 800 years before He was born:
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ (Messiah) from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11
Easter 2020 is not an unprecedented pandemic! During the first Passover 3300 years ago, the Jewish people were quarantined in their homes as God carried out the plague of the firstborn in Egypt… as then, He is the answer to this pandemic.
The Risen Christ Appears to the Disciples
Matthew 28:6
Fresco in the Church of the Tomb, Jerusalem
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5
Beyond Human Effort is Hope in Our Savior
Nation by nation, city by city, county by county, family by family, person by person we all are affected by this prolific pandemic. No one is untouched – in our work, social relationships, and daily lives. We have heard the call for unity to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus, and yet we know that though we follow every guideline, many have and will yet fall victim. We grieve for those who suffer and who die. We praise the brave men and women on the front lines of the furious fight to save lives. We pray for those who will yet contract the deadly illness for He is the antidote to any virus.
In all the world around me I see His loving care
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing will come at last
The One True Antidote
On Easter the worldwide church celebrates the resurrection of Christ Jesus, who in obedience to the will of His Father, endured the crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world – past, present and future. As the church stands together, though worshipping remotely in near isolation with families confined to their homes, we testify to His death and resurrection. Even more devastating than physical death from Coronavirus, is spiritual death inflicted on every human through the original sin of Adam and Eve.
The only true antidote to a fallen world is Jesus’ free gift of salvation. When presenting Jesus to his disciples, John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” John 1:35 Indeed, He is the Passover Lamb foreshadowed in the first Passover that saved the Hebrew people. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” John 14:6
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King
The Hope of all who seek Him,
the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind
Redeemed for Eternity
As we witness the heroic acts of our governments, health care workers, frontline responders, businesses and caring citizens who fill the seemingly immeasurable gap of needed resources, we are inspired. Yet the most heroic act of all is the sacrifice of God the Father who gave His only Son so regardless of our circumstances, choices, or failings, each of us may be redeemed for eternity. This Easter look beyond the cross to the empty tomb, praise the Father with humble gratitude, and receive into your heart the salvation of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, for indeed He Lives!
“Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Matthew 28:7
The Empty Garden Tomb, Jerusalem
Message by Sheryl Dawson, Easter, 2020
Photography by Sheryl Dawson 2009
www.celebratingchrist.com
Hymn: He Lives!
He Lives!!
Refreshing reminder grounded in truth. Thanks for sharing.
‘ He gave Himself for our sins… to whom be glory forever and ever.’ Gal 1:3-5 NIV