The Easter Edition

Yes…this Sunday is Easter.

Will we go to church?

What are reasons that motivate us to go? Is it because of tradition? Sadly, in our current culture, the tradition of going to church because it’s Easter… is mostly forgotten.

Tradition is not a reason to go to church Easter Sunday.

Or would we go because we have heard that Christians are radical?

We go because we want to see for ourselves. Christianity is radical. But it’s not political, it’s not hateful-of anyone. Don’t go for that reason. There may be other reasons why we go to church on Easter Sunday and not any other Sunday. But…the real reason to go to church any Sunday is Jesus.

Go to church to hear about Jesus.

If the church you go to does not teach about Jesus…don’t go back.

Keep searching till you find a church that teaches what the Roman soldiers said at the foot of the cross where Jesus died outside of Jerusalem over 200 years ago. Read the Bible text, it tells you what they said…

“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,  and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance.” Matthew 27:50-55

My dear friend…go to church Easter Sunday to hear about the Son of God-Jesus.

There is the another thing…whatever you’ve heard about Jesus from other sources should match with what the eyewitnesses said. “This man truly was the Son of God!” Remember this too… any explanation of who Jesus was (is) that differs from this is wrong.

Always…Consider the eyewitnesses.

They were Roman soldiers. They were stationed in Jerusalem. Do you think this was their first crucifixion? Was Jesus the first man they had crucified?  Certainly not. These soldiers had observed many others die on a cross. Never had one died as Jesus did. They could not know about the curtain of the temple. Half a foot thick, it tore in two top to bottom when Jesus died. When Jesus died, they could not know until later of the people raised from the dead.

They rolled the dice to see who would get the robe Jesus wore. They did this beneath the cross where Jesus hung. And they heard the words of Jesus…to the thief, and to them (“Father, forgive them…”). They heard Jesus say with anguish, “Father, why have you forsaken me?” Then they heard the words, “It is finished!” Then Jesus died. Never had they heard or seen anything like this.

They were crucifixion professionals.

What was their expert conclusion?

The Centurion and the other soldiers agreed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

Have you heard about the Son of God? Go to church Easter Sunday …hear about Jesus…“This man truly was the Son of God!” The experts continue to speak truth. Truth sets us free.

Happy Easter!

He is risen!