As you might expect we went to church today, or all least three of us did - Toby had a fever and has been battling a tummy bug, so Nanna and Pops kindly watched him while the rest of us went.
Emma was excited to wear her new dress, and first pair of heels!
She was adorable trying to walk in the wedges. And excited we were both wearing similar sandals!
Easter is a big event in any church. Easter Sunday (or resurrection Sunday if you want to point out that the word Easter has no relevance!) is the day that celebrates our hope. The birth of Christ is super important, and the sacrificial death of Christ, bearing the weight and consequence of your sin and mine, that's big too. But Sunday, the empty tomb, is our hope.
Without the resurrection, death is the final word. But look carefully - death was the punishment for sin, before sin, death was not an issue. So, while Jesus allowed not only the physical display of God's wrath to be laid on him, but all the weight of our sin on his mind. You know, the torturous agony of guilt, shame and deception. The same feelings that drove Judas to kill himself! Christ also bore that agony on the cross.
And then he died. For two days that seemed like the end. The body was buried, the disciples, scared for their own lives, locked themselves in a room. They'd seen Lazarus raised from the dead - but Jesus was the one who did it! Resurrection was not on their mind, it was over.
But on the third day, the women find the tomb inexplicably open, and are told by angels that he is risen. He the. Appeared inside the locked room, to the disciples, a fully present physical being - not a ghost or mirage! They touched him, hugged him and saw his wounds.
What does that mean? It means that Christ overcame death, it could not hold him and he came back.
Christ died so that you would not have to face the final judgement for your sins - he took your place. The only response that is required - and a response to the message of Easter is required, you can't ignore the reason - the only response is will you believe? And will you follow?
Believe that there is a God and whether in thought, or speech, or action, you have broken his law. The sentence is death, eternal separation from God (which is hell). You can stand trial for yourself, or you can believe that Christ is your substitute and your debt was paid by him.
Then what? So you believe that to be true, what next? Well, given that God gave his only son to die, so that you wouldn't have to, and so that you could have a relationship with God, I would say that the next step is to follow. As you ask God to show you how you can express your thanks and love to him, he will reveal the things in your life that you need to lay down. Distractions, sins, harmful habits. He will transform you inside to the person he created you to be.
He doesn't ask you to be good, he doesn't ask you to be a bible thumper! He just asks that you seek him. Pick up a bible, read it. Talk to him, pray. Confess your weaknesses to him, he will strengthen you.
Because without Jesus resurrection and gift of eternal life, there is no hope for any of us.
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