The Night Before Easter

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...A familiar line from a poem about another favorite American holiday. Tonight is the night before Easter and a whole lot of people have forgotten what it's all about. Christians are people rooted in the resurrection. "Jesus Christ lives" is the heartbeat of our faith, hope and the reason we love. Apart from the resurrection our faith is futile and we are still dead in sin-so says the Apostle Paul. Easter is not a holiday, an extended weekend from the school routine, or an opportunity to give candy and color eggs. Easter is the declaration of Almighty God that Satan has been defeated, the keys of the Kingdom are back in the hands of Christ, and there is hope for all mankind. As we know there is no resurrection without their first being a death. Praise be to the Son who was obedient to death on the cross. Hallelujah to the Holy and Righteous One who became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. This One wears the scars, holds the keys, and wears the crown. This One lives to bring life to whosoever will. This night before Easter my heart is humbled by the incredible working of Almighty God to restore the relationship with mankind. This night before Easter I rejoice with the Apostle Paul in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ-that though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor so that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). This night before Easter I live because He lives. Thank you Lord!