BECAUSE HE LIVES….

Today we celebrate the resurrection of the LORD Jesus from the dead. It means the sacrifice offered by the Redeemer on the Cross of Calvary is accepted, and that redemption is available to all who come to the saving knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. HalleluYah!!!

The approach to this glorious day was anything but smooth and straight.
– Weeks of uncertainty leading up to the Resurrection Day.
– Hate and animosity by the Jewish religious leaders, unsparingly thrown at the LORD Jesus, more so towards the last part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
– Fearful Thursday night, especially all what had happened in the Garden of Gethsemane.
– Disciples were scared and scattered. They were like sheep without the Shepherd.
– Violent Friday. The LORD Jesus was falsely and unjustly beaten up and abused. The Jewish leaders and many common people were determinedly bent upon killing the LORD Jesus by hook or crook.
– Silent, Scared and Shattered Saturday – where all the expectations of the disciples evaporated. They were not only shattered, bit were exasperated.

Resurrection of the LORD Jesus from death, and seemingly “obvious” defeat, is an glorious fact that with God, one is never defeated. Nay, can never be defeated. *With God on our side, even when the chips are down, and the horizon appears anything but good and great, we have hope, we are not defeated, and we haven’t lost.* HalleluYah!!!
– “13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” – Psalm 27:13-14

The message that we can draw from the resurrection of the LORD Jesus is this – despite the gloomy and depressing situation we may be in, just like the disciples were, we can hope for a great further, bright as the burning sun, on a hot summer afternoon. This is precisely what Bill and Gloria Gaither found out when they were terribly scared and depressingly uncertain about how the future would be, as Gloria was pregnant with their third child.
– “It was on New Year’s Eve that I sat alone in the darkness and quiet of our living room, thinking about the world and our country and Bill’s discouragement and the family problems – and about our baby yet unborn. Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this? I thought. The world is so evil. Influences beyond our control are so strong. What will happen to this child? I can’t quite explain what happened at that moment, but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence that engulfed my life and drew my attention. / “Gradually, the fear left and the joy began to return. I knew I could have that baby and face the future with optimism and trust. It was the Resurrection affirming itself in our lives once again. It was LIFE conquering death in the regularity of my day.” – Gloria Gaither

Bill and Gloria Gaither were stressed and scared about so many things, especially the uncertain future. In the midst of their struggles and chaos, God’s calm assurance, and His ever present soothing presence has birthed through them, one of the most loved English hymn, *”Because He Lives…”* a reflection of the reassuring faith only available in the risen LORD Jesus Christ.
– “God sent His son, They called Him, Jesus; He came to love, Heal and forgive; He lived and died To buy my pardon, An empty grave is there To prove my Saviour lives! / Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!” – First Stanza and the Refrain

When the women visited the tomb of Jesus, on Sunday morning, they were filled with sadness and gloom. All this changed, when they encountered the most unexpected people – the angel, who informed them about the most unexpected thing. What a twist, to what till then was a tragedy like never before.
– “5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” – Matthew 28:5-10

Only in the risen LORD Jesus, we have the hope for a bright and beautiful future, and the strength to walk through all our trials, testings and tribulations, encountered on the Narrow Path. Let us never forget – All this is made possible because of the risen Saviour! HalleluYah!!!
– “25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” – Job 19:25-27

Let the Resurrection Day, which is also called as Easter Sunday, help us see things through the resurrection’s glorious light. May we run the race that is set before us, as a Christian and the disciple of Christ the LORD, by always looking unto the LORD Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith – Hebrews 12:1-2. Even so the LORD help us. Happy Resurrection Day!