New Life at Easter

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.”  –  Martin Luther

Growing up in the country, one of the things that I often enjoyed was the new life that was born in the spring.  You saw it as trees, plants and newborn animals all came to life.

Another, more important, reminder of new life starting in spring is Easter.  It is the day that we, who are Christians, take time to reflect on Jesus resurrection from the grave.

Perhaps, though, you are wondering about the claims that Jesus rose from the grave.  That is fine.  Questions are always a great way to learn something.

First off, we have various authors’ written claims of Jesus’ resurrection in the Bible.  We also have accounts by secular historians of His day – such as Josephus.  In addition, we have physical evidence that has been unearthed by archeologists.  All of these sources tell us that Jesus and His followers were actual people that lived at the time that the Bible tells us.

We also see how Jesus died.  He was flogged 39 times, forced to carry a wooden cross, nailed to that cross and hung there for several hours, speared by a Roman guard and placed in a tomb.  After facing all of this, how could He have remained alive and been strong enough to roll a stone that some estimate could have weighed up to 4,000 pounds and defeated Roman guards that were standing guard at the stone?

Why did the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders have the Roman authorities post a guard?  After all, Jesus was dead – and His disciples had all deserted Him.  How was He going to leave a tomb?

Yet, those same men who had fled would eventually all believe in His resurrection and be willing to be persecuted for their belief in Him.  If they did not truly believe in Jesus death and resurrection, why would they have died for a lie?

The question that each of us is forced to answer is what are we going to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus?  Will we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, or are we going to deny Him?  Jesus allows us to make our own decision – wanting us to come to Him on our own.

In closing, let me share with you something else that I have seen in nature.

When land has been burned, new growth always comes and grows in the place that was destroyed by fire.  In the same way, sin has come to destroy us.  But, if we are willing, Jesus wants to come and reside within us – creating a new life out of our ashes.

Have a great day!

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”  –  John 14:6 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)