Easter Dawn Service 26
American rock star Jon Bon Jovi is just a few months older than I am. Back in the day Bon Jovi had a hit that went like this: ‘I’m feeling like a Monday but someday I’ll be Saturday night’, in other words I’m feeling pretty miserable but hopefully I’ll feel better soon!
Well, what ‘day’ is it for us? It’s Sunday, Easter Sunday no less but I wonder if some of us may be feeling a bit like it’s still Saturday? Like the first disciples, traumatised, confused, fearful, despondent.
Surrounded by news of war, beset by sickness, family troubles and natural anxiety over bereavement and death, life in the short term can feel quite bleak. Living in a still fallen world can certainly at times be sad and painful. We may understandably feel our motivation is lacking!
But this is where Christians have been given a decided advantage, one which we must remember not just today but every day. Let’s remind ourselves of the perspective revealed to followers of Jesus in the Bible.
Our Maker has not left us alone. Although He is holy and will judge sin He is also gracious and compassionate. He has come into the world He created in the person of His Son to suffer with us and for us. Giving His life on the cross to atone for our sin, Jesus has made forgiveness and reconciliation possible. He rules from heaven over everything that happens. He promises the presence of the Holy Spirit to assure us of His love and help us with our present challenges AND He promises an eternal home in heavenly resurrection with Him. This is the ‘living hope’ the Apostle speaks of in 1 Peter 1 v 3.
There’s an empty tomb outside Jerusalem giving us a tangible reminder that Saturday’s sadness is not the end of the story. This is Easter Sunday and in a sense for us every day is a Sunday, a resurrection day to know and serve the Lord Jesus.
Our Master is risen. We have been given a hope that is powerful and real. It’s a hope the world needs to hear and therefore a hope Christians need to share!
American rock star Jon Bon Jovi is just a few months older than I am. Back in the day Bon Jovi had a hit that went like this: ‘I’m feeling like a Monday but someday I’ll be Saturday night’, in other words I’m feeling pretty miserable but hopefully I’ll feel better soon!
Well, what ‘day’ is it for us? It’s Sunday, Easter Sunday no less but I wonder if some of us may be feeling a bit like it’s still Saturday? Like the first disciples, traumatised, confused, fearful, despondent.
Surrounded by news of war, beset by sickness, family troubles and natural anxiety over bereavement and death, life in the short term can feel quite bleak. Living in a still fallen world can certainly at times be sad and painful. We may understandably feel our motivation is lacking!
But this is where Christians have been given a decided advantage, one which we must remember not just today but every day. Let’s remind ourselves of the perspective revealed to followers of Jesus in the Bible.
Our Maker has not left us alone. Although He is holy and will judge sin He is also gracious and compassionate. He has come into the world He created in the person of His Son to suffer with us and for us. Giving His life on the cross to atone for our sin, Jesus has made forgiveness and reconciliation possible. He rules from heaven over everything that happens. He promises the presence of the Holy Spirit to assure us of His love and help us with our present challenges AND He promises an eternal home in heavenly resurrection with Him. This is the ‘living hope’ the Apostle speaks of in 1 Peter 1 v 3.
There’s an empty tomb outside Jerusalem giving us a tangible reminder that Saturday’s sadness is not the end of the story. This is Easter Sunday and in a sense for us every day is a Sunday, a resurrection day to know and serve the Lord Jesus.
Our Master is risen. We have been given a hope that is powerful and real. It’s a hope the world needs to hear and therefore a hope Christians need to share!
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