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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Easter (05/30/05)
Do you know what Easter is all about? Do you realize what Jesus did for you?

There are two things in the human experience and condition we just cannot stand, and that we fear most of all, suffering and death. In my observation, very few people crave suffering or look forward to death, because we desire to live and be pain free. There may be those who take their own lives or cause unnecessary suffering to themselves and everyone around them for various psychological reasons, but none the less we dread it, we hate it, and it is the great unknown filled with fear and qualm. Yet, our Lord has cut down this foremost mortifying obstacle and barrier. He has liberated us from the terror of fatality, so we need not fear or be filled with misgivings and trepidations.

In the passage about Lazarus in John 11, Jesus Himself said He was glad to hear of Lazarus death (John 11:14-15)! While the Disciples were horrified as their young friend dies, and, Thomas feared that he might die too! The Disciples had to learn that death was not the final frontier of fear, but the truth of life to come. Martha was the only one who seemed to trust in Jesus, expecting a miracle. Therefore, a great, unprecedented miracle literally arises; Lazarus, after being dead for three days, beyond rigor mortis as his body decays with a stench, suddenly rises to life. Death was conquered!

Death is the last and ultimate barrier that Christ conquered on our behalf, giving us the ultimate liberation! He removed the apprehensions and terror and gave us a glimpse of the wonder of eternity and joy with Him. Death is no longer the subject of horror, but is our hope and reward to come. At the same time, we are not to dwell on it, neglecting our purpose on this earth, so He only gives us a peek. He shows us enough to erase our fears so we can concentrate on making ourselves His disciples, if we allow His words to dig their way into our hearts and minds. So, allow Him to conquer your fears, and barriers to spiritual growth. Jesus tells us not to let our heart be troubled; so, let us erase those fears for which we have no need (John 14:1-4)!

Jesus is risen to redeem you! (Matthew 28:10; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24: 1–12; John 20:24-29)

The Creator of the universe lowered Himself like the created beings He made who were filled will flaws and sin, and who needed redemption. A journey was made filled with countless sufferings and an eventual death, on behalf of a humanity that neither asked for it nor could do it for themselves. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was the supreme act of proving whom He is and what He can do for us! It was the raising to life of a man who was dead and buried, a man who was fully human and fully God (Acts 1:3). The fact that so many people saw Him after His resurrection and the impact of the fatal wounds He received was the proof text for many to come to faith and devote themselves to Christianity over the centuries. Christ paved the way for us to live in eternity and conquer the fatality of death. The resurrection provided us not only with eternity and ultimate hope and meaning for life, but immediate relief from our sin, and the barriers to God. Through what Christ did, we are justified and can go directly to God without sacrificing the family pet or needing the mediation of a priest. We are able to have our prayers heard, our journey of life known, and be assured we have a God who truly loves us and cares for us beyond our comprehension.

Our comfort and reassurance is in what our Lord did on our behalf, what He did in our place. He took our suffering and our death, and literally took it on Himself, so we need not fear what is to come.
His suffering and death was not the end of the story, but only the beginning, as it will be for us. Christ gave us a victory that we did not earn or deserve; yet, it is ours to have. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him!
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This article has been read 1957 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sally Hanan
06/06/05
Well written and you have all your pointslined up well. Just watch your tenses remaining the same in each paragraph.
dub W
06/08/05
A nice sermonette, good points. As mentioned watch the tense shifts, and in the first paragraph the 2nd. person.
Shari Armstrong 
06/09/05
A lot of good points here, my favorite: "Christ gave us a victory that we did not earn or deserve; yet, it is ours to have. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him!"
Richard William
06/10/05
You have written the sufferings of Christ which is immaculate. I really fell in love with your article.
Val Clark
06/11/05
Well written sermon. One problem for me. Who is your audience? If the unsaved and this is a gospel message then words like redeem and redemption need explanation.