Let Our Life Sing
Arise and sing! Our Lord is risen! He is alive!
Easter Sunday services have always been some of my favorite. The joy, the anticipation, the fulfilment of all God’s promises. The freedom from the weight of sin and the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Three years ago, my understanding of Easter changed.
Three years ago, Easter was celebrated just after the unexpected death of our adult daughter.
Three years ago, Easter was filled with sadness and tears rather than joy and laughter.
Three years ago, the power of the resurrection took on a new meaning.
Our Lord is risen! Our Lord is risen indeed!
One of the stories I love from the gospels is found in both Mark 2 and Luke 5. These friends bring their buddy who was paralyzed (or crippled) to Jesus to be healed. The house where Jesus is teaching is crowded and they can’t get through the crowd.
The friends have faith in Jesus. They are determined. They do what is hard, consequently changing the community around them. They lower their buddy from the ceiling requesting healing.
Yet what Jesus gives is so much more; He forgives sin.
“Wow, big deal,” someone might have thought with sadness. We wanted him to walk. We wanted immediate healing. And Jesus just said a couple of words that seem to have no effect.
Jesus speaks to the invisible miracle (forgiveness of sin) with a visible healing telling the man to use his muscles that five minutes before didn’t work. Jesus told him to stand, take up that heavy mat he was being carried on, and walk out of the house so that everyone could see.
The little miracle was the healing. The big miracle was the forgiveness of sin.
Only Jesus has the power to forgive sins.
Only Jesus has the power to make all things new.
Only Jesus has the power to bring the dead back to life.
Death has been swallowed up in victory. (1 Cor 15: 54b) I
(Jesus) am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! (Rev 1:18)
Three years ago, my perspective of Easter, and life, was turned upside down. From death, I found life. From sadness, I found joy. From grief, I found hope.
To the resurrection alone, I cling. On the resurrection, I find my hope. In the resurrection of Christ is my meaning and purpose.
We were “a people living in darkness who have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16) That light is Christ the Lord. Consequently, we are compelled to go, to tell, to bring light, and hope and joy to the world around us. Because of Easter, we Arise and sing! Our Lord is alive!
My brothers and sisters in Christ. I love you. We have a story to tell. Let us do so boldly. Let our life sing! - Caroline Poe, Minister of Families & Education
3 Comments
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I remember those days with you.
Time tends to bring back memories both good and not so good, but the hope of resurrection is eternal and sustaining! Praise be to God! Thanks for sharing.
Because Christ lives, we can face each day knowing He is always here with us! Losing a precious granddaughter still brings tears, as well as beautiful memories. This lovely young woman is in the arms of Jesus. What peace and comfort that brings to those of us left to cherish her memory.