Sunday Times 2
Easter: Hope, renewal and new life!
View(s):By Timothy A. Edward
this Easter, Christians all over the world remember with gratitude how Jesus Christ died on that ‘Old Rugged Cross’ for humanity, and rose again reconciling us back to our loving Heavenly Father and giving us hope and life eternal.
Ultimate sacrifice
Billy Graham said, “Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.” Indeed, the Easter message is one of hope and assurance that we can be aligned with God’s plans and purposes for our lives through the power of Jesus’ Resurrection.
The Old Rugged Cross portrays that although our lives may be in fragments, God’s love, forgiveness and sacrifice can put those fragments together and bring out a beautiful picture.
We can celebrate the joy of Easter, when we remember the Resurrection of Jesus, which gives us hope. This hope is further heightened by the knowledge that God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Because Jesus is alive and “He is the mediator of the New Covenant” (Hebrews 12:24), we do not need another sacrifice, because the shed Blood of Jesus is alive even today and it continues to plead God’s mercy and protection on those who believe.
As we earnestly seek the heart and mind of God this Easter, God might impress a number of things in our hearts including the following:
Pray earnestly
First, the need to uphold in earnest prayer our country, fellowmen and the world. For, Jesus too did the same in Luke 22:44. This season is a call to give each other and fellow beings the gift of prayer. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. When we pray, we release this force from heaven into action, the goodness of God on earth.
When we travail in prayer, like the way Jesus agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane, where His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, such prayers bring results. We pray and intercede because He is praying and interceding continuously for us on the right-hand side of the Father.
Therefore, the more we pray, the more God can speak to our hearts and impress within our minds His Word and thoughts on how we must be praying and upholding our fellow men, women and children during these difficult times.
Give voluntarily
Second, during this season, we can voluntarily give to the Master our talents, gifts and resources that have been dormant in our lives, for the betterment of the community and society. It is because, He first gave Himself voluntarily to die for us on a cruel cross, that we can enjoy His life here on earth and live eternally in heaven thereafter.
Everyone will agree that our world is at a critical time. God wants our inherent gifts and talents to make this world a better place for all. Jesus told His disciples to untie the colt for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and if people ask, simply tell them the Master needs it. We can voluntarily choose to untie a number of things in our lives which have been tied and dormant for some time, so that our Master can triumphantly enter.
Let us ponder on things that have been tied down in our lives for some time. Let us prayerfully untie them for God’s and fellow human beings’ service.
Redeem strategically
Third, Jesus came to redeem us. He came to redeem us from sin, sickness, shame, poverty, desolation, isolation, depression, rejection, deprivation and eternal separation from God. As His disciples, we can see these same things that Jesus came to redeem are ravaging the world. There is a desperate clarion call to redeem those who are hurting and perishing. Statistics say millions of children and families are in dire need today due to prolonged wars, economic downturns, poverty, lack of essentials, injuries and sickness.
War between good
and evil
There is a major war that is going on in the world between good and evil. We need to look at this war from heaven’s perspective and take our stand with good through earnest prayer, voluntary giving and strategic redeeming. This is the call that has been placed upon our lives during this holy season!
The light at the end of the tunnel is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, which epitomizes God’ goodness, compassion and mercy towards humankind.
By Timothy A. Edward
| T |
his Easter, Christians all over the world remember with gratitude how Jesus Christ died on that ‘Old Rugged Cross’ for humanity, and rose again reconciling us back to our loving Heavenly Father and giving us hope and life eternal.
Ultimate sacrifice
Billy Graham said, “Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.” Indeed, the Easter message is one of hope and assurance that we can be aligned with God’s plans and purposes for our lives through the power of Jesus’ Resurrection.
The Old Rugged Cross portrays that although our lives may be in fragments, God’s love, forgiveness and sacrifice can put those fragments together and bring out a beautiful picture.
We can celebrate the joy of Easter, when we remember the Resurrection of Jesus, which gives us hope. This hope is further heightened by the knowledge that God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Because Jesus is alive and “He is the mediator of the New Covenant” (Hebrews 12:24), we do not need another sacrifice, because the shed Blood of Jesus is alive even today and it continues to plead God’s mercy and protection on those who believe.
As we earnestly seek the heart and mind of God this Easter, God might impress a number of things in our hearts including the following:
Pray earnestly
First, the need to uphold in earnest prayer our country, fellowmen and the world. For, Jesus too did the same in Luke 22:44. This season is a call to give each other and fellow beings the gift of prayer. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. When we pray, we release this force from heaven into action, the goodness of God on earth.
When we travail in prayer, like the way Jesus agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane, where His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, such prayers bring results. We pray and intercede because He is praying and interceding continuously for us on the right-hand side of the Father.
Therefore, the more we pray, the more God can speak to our hearts and impress within our minds His Word and thoughts on how we must be praying and upholding our fellow men, women and children during these difficult times.
Give voluntarily
Second, during this season, we can voluntarily give to the Master our talents, gifts and resources that have been dormant in our lives, for the betterment of the community and society. It is because, He first gave Himself voluntarily to die for us on a cruel cross, that we can enjoy His life here on earth and live eternally in heaven thereafter.
Everyone will agree that our world is at a critical time. God wants our inherent gifts and talents to make this world a better place for all. Jesus told His disciples to untie the colt for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and if people ask, simply tell them the Master needs it. We can voluntarily choose to untie a number of things in our lives which have been tied and dormant for some time, so that our Master can triumphantly enter.
Let us ponder on things that have been tied down in our lives for some time. Let us prayerfully untie them for God’s and fellow human beings’ service.
Redeem strategically
Third, Jesus came to redeem us. He came to redeem us from sin, sickness, shame, poverty, desolation, isolation, depression, rejection, deprivation and eternal separation from God. As His disciples, we can see these same things that Jesus came to redeem are ravaging the world. There is a desperate clarion call to redeem those who are hurting and perishing. Statistics say millions of children and families are in dire need today due to prolonged wars, economic downturns, poverty, lack of essentials, injuries and sickness.
War between good
and evil
There is a major war that is going on in the world between good and evil. We need to look at this war from heaven’s perspective and take our stand with good through earnest prayer, voluntary giving and strategic redeeming. This is the call that has been placed upon our lives during this holy season!
The light at the end of the tunnel is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, which epitomizes God’ goodness, compassion and mercy towards humankind.