Easter is a great time to celebrate. Many get together with family, share a meal and perhaps have special treats for the kids. But why do we celebrate? It has nothing to do with bunnies and eggs. It is not about fertility as some religions believe. It is about victory over death and sin. It was God’s plan all along for His one and only Son to come to this earth, take the sins of the world and pay for them by giving His life, dying on the cross, and being raised on the third day. So this day is much bigger than many realize. It is the day that we can declare victory over sin and death because Christ did. All we have to do is believe and trust in Him.
Continue reading “The True Reason for Easter”Category: Resurrection
Lazarus and the Rich Man: Heaven and Hell
In this second part of our discussion about the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, we get a small glimpse of heaven and hell. Keep in mind this is prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Also, keep in mind I am no expert, but this is just my take based on what I have read in the Bible.
Several words have been used in the Bible to describe where one goes when they die. A general term used is Hades or Sheol. In the story of Lazarus, Hades is a place of torment for the wicked and unrighteous. Abraham’s bosom is where the righteous go (before Jesus’ resurrection when He declares victory over death and Hades). Jesus also called this Paradise, as He did when talking to the thief on the cross). After the resurrection, people go to heaven or hell, those who believe go to heaven, those who do not go to hell. Gehenna is when final judgement (the Great White Throne Judgement) occurs, where the unrighteous will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (the second death).
Continue reading “Lazarus and the Rich Man: Heaven and Hell”Events of Jesus’ Resurrection
Jesus’ ministry did not stop at the cross. In many ways it had just begun. Christ said, “It is finished.” Dying on the cross accomplished God’s goal. But part of the victory is conquering death so that we may be raised into eternal life. Without the resurrection, He was just another prophet. But Jesus is more than that; He is our God, our Savior, our Lord. He also had to prepare His disciples for their ministry. And He revealed Himself to many. One day He will return and reveal Himself to all. Continue reading “Events of Jesus’ Resurrection”
Resurrection Sunday…He has Risen!
Easter time…I call it Resurrection Sunday. It is not about bunnies and eggs. That is derived from pagan rituals. I am not sure why some churches include these things during this time of year, like egg hunts. Maybe I’m a scrooge, but I want to remember this day as a day of celebration of the sacrifice that Jesus made dying on the cross, taking the sins of the world with Him and putting them to death, being raised on the third day, and lives today to intercede for us. He is our Light and our Salvation. By trusting in Him, we have eternal life. Continue reading “Resurrection Sunday…He has Risen!”
Jesus in Psalm 22
I was going through a study in Hebrews and the teacher described the quote in Hebrews 2 from Psalm 22. I thought it was interesting how the first half of the Psalm depicts Jesus thoughts on the cross; the second half were His thoughts and the results of the cross after His resurrection. Our salvation is dependent on both His death and resurrection. It is through His death our sins are washed away; it is through His resurrection that death and sin are conquered and those of us who trust in the Lord will be forgiven and will live in eternity with Him. Continue reading “Jesus in Psalm 22”