From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org
Editorial: The impact of Easter in our lives
From
"Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>
Date
Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:12:17 -0700
> Taiwan Church News
>3031 Edition
>March 29~April 4, 2010
>Editorial: The impact of Easter in our lives
>Translated by Lydia Ma
Nobody really knows what transpired inside the tomb on that first Easter
Sunday, but
everybody agrees that Jesus’ resurrection not only conquered death and Satan’s
power over
us, but also transformed our lives. When Jesus rose from the dead, he was no
longer bound
by space and time. Not only could he walk through locked doors, he could also
overcome our
fear and our hopelessness with his kindness and forgiveness.
The disciples who fled when Jesus was arrested because they were so frightened
were
transformed when they met their resurrected Lord. Henceforth, they would
become different
men and the world would come to know them for their courage and fearlessness
whenever
and wherever they preached the gospel. Their determination and transformation
helped
spread the gospel throughout Palestine and to the ends of the earth.
One could say that Jesus’ resurrection isn’t merely about the mystery of
someone rising from
the dead. An equally important feat achieved by Jesus’ resurrection is
transformation and
renewal among those who believe. Christ’s passion and resurrection offer 3
important lessons
>for us today:
First, Jesus was sentenced to death not only by the religious authorities of
Jerusalem at the
time. He was also crucified by all the spiritual powers that rebelled against
God and by every
person’s bitterness, brokenness, and sins. His resurrection meant he’d
defeated the
oppressive hold these things had over human beings.
Second, Jesus’ resurrection meant that those who were oppressed were now free
because
their lives would be renewed and transformed. Galatians 2:19-20 described it
like this: “I have
been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” In
essence, Jesus’ death
and resurrection means that our old, sinful, corrupt nature has been dealt and
done away with,
enabling us to embark on a new spiritual journey.
Finally, Jesus’ death and resurrection reveals the extent of God’s love for
humanity, a theme
reiterated throughout the Bible. We often wonder how God the Father could’ve
forsaken
Jesus, God’s beloved son, or how God the Father could’ve allowed Jesus to
suffer such an
injustice. In reality, God didn’t forsake Jesus, but gave his only son redeem
humanity because
>God loved the world so much.
When Jesus’ disciples saw their resurrected Lord, their past failures paled in
contrast to
God’s love for them. This love enabled them to overcome their fears, doubts,
and sadness
and made them brave enough to take on the unfriendly world they’d been
commissioned to
>transform by preaching the gospel.
Many people today also long for this resurrection power to transform and renew
their lives. We
live in a world of sin that constantly tests our senses, strength, and faith.
This past year has
been challenging for Taiwan and we’re still coping with the consequences of
Typhoon Morakot
>and a disintegrating national autonomy.
Many people here feel there’s nothing they can do to turn the tide. But what
about churches?
Are our churches living out PCT’s statement of faith by becoming a sign of
hope to this
restless generation? Or are our churches not faring much better and feeling
equally anxious?
Jesus death and resurrection means believers can experience God’s love, and
freedom from
everything that shackles them. It is our prayer that God, who raised Christ
from the dead, will
also raise up all those who feel they’re stuck in the valley of the shadow of
death, so that they
>can experience love, freedom, and new life.
>********************
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
You may translate and re-use our articles online only if you acknowledge the
source as
"Taiwan Church News" and list the names of the reporter and writer.
Contact us before reprinting any of our articles for print publications.
Direct comments and questions about this article to: enews@pctpress.org
Visit our website for more news at: http://enews.pctpress.org/ (English)
>http://www.pctpress.org (Chinese)
>*******************
>
>
Browse month . . .
Browse month (sort by Source) . . .
Advanced Search & Browse . . .
WFN Home