Springtime, bringing its promise of new life

     Some reflections on Easter..."He is not here; He is risen, just as He said."  — Matthew 28:6.  

   
     

     Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.  

— Martin Luther   

     Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"   
     
     Springtime, bringing its promise of new life, seems the appropriate time to celebrate Easter with all its beauty and meaning. 

     Why is it that one billion Christians around the world still gather to mark the event that happened 2000 years ago? What we celebrate at Easter is the foundation of our Christian faith — the day Christ rose from the dead, confirming our belief that — "because He lives, we shall live also." 

     Someone likened Easter to a wake-up call, to a beautiful day and a wonderful way of life, but we need to ask ourselves whether Christ is now living in us.  

     "Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, 'Christ is risen,' but 'I shall rise.'"  

— Phillips Brooke  

     

     Recently, my pastor closed his sermon with the following, known as the Apostles' Creed — a concise summary of Christian beliefs widely used in many Christian churches.  

     Note: It is called apostles' creed, not because the apostles wrote it. Churches in many different regions were involved in its development. Also, the word Catholic means worldwide or universal. 

     Knowing what we believe about God, makes us stronger in our faith.  What does the Creed say?  

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was  conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.         

     
"We live and die; Christ died and lived!"  

— John Stott.

— beulah