Today, on
this Easter morning, we stand... we stand together before the cross, the cross
of Jesus. As the sun rises we experience the change from darkness into light.
And we are reminded of God's risen son Jesus, Light of the World, and of our
Christian hope of eternal life.
In John
3:16 the Bible tells us 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.' In his New Testament translation 'Who?', Paul Langham records Jesus
saying this: 'God gave his greatest treasure, his one and only Son. Everyone
who trusts in me will burst through death into eternal life.'
The cross
remains the symbol of Christianity, nearly 2000 years since Jesus' crucifixion.
The idea of Roman crucifixion was execution, to bring about a prolonged and
painful death to the victim, but also to strike fear into any witnesses,
friends or family of the condemned.
At Easter
the world is reminded of the message of Christian hope, which overcomes our
human fear; however that might manifest itself in our lives. Fear - F E A
R, because without God we may often find ourselves being Frightened, Envious, Angry
& Resentful.
As
believers, with God, we have Christian Hope - H O P E.
H: with God we are made
Holy, set apart.
O: with God He gives us Opportunities, opportunities to be
obedient, to do His will.
P: with God we live with His Promises as set out in
His Word.
And E: One of God's many promises is Eternity, to live with Him
forever, in our hearts today and with the love of God in our tomorrows, in His
heavenly realm. At Easter we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, new life over
death, hope over fear. H O P E: Holy, Opportunities, with Promises & for
Eternity.
Barack
Obama's first inaugural address as president of America in 2009 was called
'Hope over fear', a title he took from one of his pastor's sermons. In his
address Barack said "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope
over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." The President concluded
his speech by saying. "with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon
us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom ... to future
generations."
So today
we gather, as members of the body of Christ, choosing a living hope over fear.
With our eyes fixed on the horizon, with God's grace, with freedom from the
chains of the evil one, with faith, sharing the good news of Christ with this
and future generations.
St Peter
says 'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great
mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish,
spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.'
May the
Easter message of Hope, Hope overcoming Fear, be with you today and always.
Amen
