Written by Bridge Church Elder Steve Johnson
Easter...so now what?
It’s been almost two weeks now since followers of Jesus around the world celebrated Easter - Resurrection Sunday - a pinnacle in the believer’s calendar year. Christians and seekers gather in record-numbers to descend upon churches, packing out the seats and pews (or in the case of this year’s current crazy pandemic - logged in to YouTube, Facebook Live, or whatever online video streaming service from the quarantined comfort of home) to hear the message of God’s redemption plan for the world and rejoice in the Good News of the empty tomb.
Christ is risen!
Death is conquered!
Hope restored to mankind!
The high-point of Holy Week after the sorrowful introspection of Good Friday, and the recognition that it wasn’t just the Jews and Romans of 2000 years ago who were primarily responsible for putting Jesus on the cross but yours and my doing as well.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)
He died because of our sins. That’s the bad news.
But, He also died FOR our sins and rose again so that we may have life in Him. That’s the good news! Or as we also like to say - that’s “the Gospel.”
But what really does that mean?
Many people from various backgrounds may understand this in a basic sense. They perhaps know or have heard the facts about the story - a crude mixture of pop-culture Christianity and foggy details from decades-old Sunday school lessons...Jesus, Mary, Joseph, stable, wisemen, angels, fish & loaves, palm-branches, cross, empty tomb.
To them it likely starts and ends with just information about some supposedly historical religious happenings; no more or less important than yesterday’s news or stories from their parents’ or grandparents’ day or details of any other dusty topics from high school history class.
Or they see Jesus as a good teacher but just one among many founders of the world’s many faith offerings.
For the believer, though, it’s personal. It means we know and understand that we as human beings, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), have a broken relationship with our Creator due to our indwelling sin-nature (Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9). The Apostle Paul tells us in verse three of the third chapter of Romans, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
But it’s not just that we are told of the existence of our sin. Paul goes on later in 6:23 to state that “the wages of sin is death…” Well that doesn’t sound very encouraging.
Throughout scripture we read and understand that God is holy, pure, set apart.
He cannot dwell in the presence of sinful people. And with that, we understand that there is nothing we can do to make it right with God. The unbeliever may even think there are many ways to God, or even that there are many gods.
However, in Acts 4:12 we’re told, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
This is where Jesus comes in.
God, through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, speaks of Jesus’ sacrifice and our direct responsibility in that.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)
Jesus, the sinless One, paid the penalty for our sins. And in doing so, God has accepted this as the only sacrifice to cover the sins of all all of us. This is called “atonement” and means we are now justified in God’s eyes.
People frequently believe they can do something to earn God’s favor in order for them to be saved. But Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
And what of the whole “empty tomb/raised from the dead” thing?
Again, back to Romans 6: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
So, for the unbeliever, now what? What is your response?
Throughout the Psalms and Proverbs we read that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge.” (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10) This is a healthy fear and should be rooted in reverence of your Creator.
”Psalm 25:14 goes further: “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” This expresses God’s desire and plan to restore our right relationship with Him.
Paul says in Romans 10:9, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Grace is the unearned favor of God toward you. Faith is your response to God, trusting in his plan for your salvation.
Maybe you heard the gospel message at the Easter service, but your heart was not ready. God created you and knows you. Today may be the day that He is calling you to repentance and forgiveness. Humble yourself before God, confess your sins to Him, trust in the sacrifice of Jesus for your forgiveness. He will give you new life for now and eternity.
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Romans 6:22)
It’s good news for the unbeliever & Jesus-follower alike.
So now what...for the believer?
Perhaps the rush of Easter celebrations is fading; your back to the daily grind and this shelter-in-place/lockdown has given you a spiritual beatdown. Maybe you’ve slipped back into setting your mind on things of the earth and not on things above.
We may be stuck in our homes, but in Christ Jesus we are free! “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
Does not God know the beginning from the end? He is in control of all of this.
You and I know this, and yeah, it’s hard and discouraging sometimes. We long for the spiritual mountain top every day. But we must remember that we’re not alone. When we accepted Jesus as our savior, he gave us his Holy Spirit as comforter, healer, guide.
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
God speaks to us by His Spirit in us and through His Word! Are you reading God’s Word regularly and letting it encourage and change you? Are you hearing from Him and talking to Him in prayer? The relationship God called us to when He saved us is the same as when He’s sanctifying us. You can have Easter every day - it’s there for the taking...abundantly!
I trust this word has encouraged you today. If you are now a new believer or maybe still on the fence, would you consider reaching out to us here at The Bridge Church? Maybe a friend invited you to join the online service. Let them know you want to know more about a new life in Christ. If you were just searching and stumbled onto our website, one of our pastors, staff, or elders would love to hear from you. Please give us a call or send an email.
If you’re part of Christ’s Church, be strengthened today. Your steadfastness and hope in the Gospel lived out is critical to your spiritual walk. Are you doing it alone? Stay connected as well by reaching out to us, join a small group of other believers (even virtually). We are here to love, care for, and build up one another.
In Christ,
Steve Johnson
Bridge Church Elder.
April 23, 2020
