Just over two weeks ago we celebrated Easter. Many attended beautiful church services and many sat down with family and friends to enjoy an Easter feast. It was all very joyful and positive. The weather was also very reflective of the joy many experienced – warm and sunny. Throughout the church services and family get-togethers of the Easter holiday did you hear and take into your heart the Good News from the Bible?
I ask myself how many people really hear and take into their hearts the Good News of the New Life presented to us in the Holy Bible. Do we really know what the Bible tells us? Do you think many of our neighbours know the resurrection of Jesus Christ as fact? Do our leaders in government know the Good News of the Bible? What about in the community? Do local business people, school teachers, ministers, and people who say they go to church know the meaning of the New Life of Easter?
The New Life of Easter means that we must believe that Jesus really rose from the grave and that this is an historical fact.
Secondly, it means that we must truly believe that Jesus rose from the dead for us.
Thirdly, it means that you and I must accept the fact that as we share the consequences of Christ’s death so we share the results of His resurrection.
If Jesus is therefore alive, than you and I who believe in Him, and I ask why not believe in Him, are also alive.
I know watching the television and surfing the internet has replaced much of our reading today. But why not pick up the Bible and read the Good News? I am sure that you have one laying around the house somewhere.
A second question I ask myself is what does it mean that we are or can be alive in Jesus? Practically speaking it means that we must live the way Jesus wants us to live. In short, it means that we must surrender and submit ourselves to Jesus and His Word. And when we do this we become new people.
The results of living in and for Jesus are numerous, but some examples include:
We become patient instead of being short-tempered.
We become content instead continuous greed for more physical possessions. Let us stop devastating greed and jealousy for other people’s achievements and possessions. Instead we should be caring for our neighbours and be Christ to them.
These are only some examples of how Jesus works through us once we become Christians. There is really no end to the specific results of Christ’s life within us. The Good News of Easter can change and renew our community, our family, our work-site, our government and our school system.
The Bible says that he who abides in Christ brings forth much fruit. In the face of all the difficulties and temptation of the day, the Christian has the upper hand, for his faith is rooted in the one person who has been and is victorious over sin and death.
Enjoy your new life in Christ.
-Rev. deJong
Rev. deJong is a retired CRC minister. He resides in the Aylmer area and attends church at Aylmer Christian Reformed Chruch.
