Happy Easter!

The Might And Majesty Of The Risen Savior

At Eastertime, Christians rejoice and give praise for the resurrection of mankind’s Savior.

Words often fall short of communicating the full magnificence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me try by offering that he was the most complete package ever to grace this earth. He was the supreme example of both meekness and might-widely different qualities that often are mutually exclusive in a typical human being, but were a divinely natural and necessary combination in the Savior. Indeed, as both Son of God and Son of Man-as both divine and human united in one individuality – Christ Jesus was perfection incarnate, a majestic and unique wonder, the contemplation of which should inspire, awe, and humble us.

The meekness and humility of the Lord are unmistakable in word and deed. He declared, "I can of mine own self do nothing … I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30) and when he was addressed as "Good Master," he replied, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God (Mark 10:17-18)." In vivid and sublime demonstration of his meekness, he knelt and washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-15).

This humblest and most selfless of men was also a man of great courage, power, and dominion.

Jesus’ courage was manifest by the way he repeatedly defied the Pharisees who were looking for a pretext to destroy him, calling them "hypocrites" and "vipers" (Matt. 23) and boldly healing a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 6:6-11). He showed magnificent courage by steadfastly insisting on going to Jerusalem, even though he knew that he would be betrayed and condemned to death (Matt. 20:18), going so far as to deliver a stinging rebuke to Peter -"Get thee behind me, Satan!" (Matt. 16:23) – when Peter spoke of protecting the Lord from meeting his destiny.

God’s anointed one repeatedly did things believed to be impossible. The spiritual power he demonstrated exceeds even the most marvelous accomplishments of modern technology. He overcame the laws of physiology, as when he restored sight to the man born blind (John 9:1-7, 32) or instantly healed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). He trumped the laws of biology and medicine, when he raised Lazarus from the tomb four days after his death (John 11:1-44). He nullified the laws of physics and meteorology, walking on the water (Matt.14:22-33) and stilling the tempest (Mark 4:35-41). He overruled the laws of botany and agronomy, feeding multitudes on at least two occasions with a few loaves of bread and a few fish (Mark 6:30-44 and 8:1-9).

The Savior proved with irrevocable finality his everlasting dominion through the sequence of events that we commemorate during Holy Week. Throughout the awful drama of his betrayal, arrest, torture, condemnation and hideous execution, he proved that God always reigns supreme. When the men sent by the high priests and Pharisees came to Gethsemane, an invisible force knocked them backwards onto the ground (John 18:6). His disciples should have taken that as a sign: God was in control, no matter how bleak the picture looked. And so it proved. Jesus permitted the crucifixion to take place. Basically, he challenged his enemies to take their best shot at trying to obliterate his life. They failed; it was beyond their power. On the following Sunday morning – that first Easter – the Savior proved his dominion over death and the tomb. He reappeared in resurrection glory, thereby comforting, strengthening, and redeeming humanity with the priceless promise and gift of eternal life.

What was the key to Jesus’ resurrection? Was it not revealed in his prayer in Gethsemane? There he subdued human will and submitted to the Divine Plan: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42)." What a great lesson for us all: In meekness there is might.

Let us celebrate the might and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ, not just at Easter, but every day. Praise be to the risen Savior!

Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson is an adjunct faculty member, economist, and fellow for economic and social policy with The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College.

(The Dr’s article, as well as the one below also appeared in our local paper, The Post-Journal)

From Halleluiahs To Sorrow, Then Elation

Yesterday as I sat in church I could not help but think of all of the events of Holy Week. This Sunday’s focus was on the triumphal entry into Jerusalem which is included in all four gospels in the Bible. Thanks to an amplified version of the New International Version of the Bible I can go through all the events of the week for you.

On Monday, Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered – this is mentioned in Matthew and Mark. Also on Monday, Jesus cleared the temple tipping over the tables of all who were buying and selling, driving them all out. His famous words were, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers." (Mt. 21: 13)

The authority of Jesus came into question on Tuesday. He was teaching in the temple, but began to draw criticism. Also on Tuesday, he visited his friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary. The gospel of John tells the whole story of the anointing at Bethany that took place six days before the Passover. Mary poured precious oil over Jesus anointing him. Judas Iscariot objected saying, "Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?" (Jn.12: 5)

Wednesday is the day that the plot to betray Jesus was put together. Judas Iscariot approached the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus to them for 30 pieces of silver. (Mt. 26: 14 – 15)

Thursday was the Last Supper. Although the pictures of the Last Supper show Jesus and the disciples sitting at a table, they were most likely reclining at a low table (Mt. 26: 20) which was the custom of the day. It was here that Jesus offered the first communion. Even Judas Iscariot was present to commune with Jesus and the disciples.

Later Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times that evening before the cock crowed. Peter, James and John accompanied Jesus to the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus, being of human flesh, prayed for the cup to be removed if that was possible. He knew that he was sent to save sinners, but remember he was just like you and me. He wanted to escape the painful procedure if that was possible.

While Jesus prayed the disciples who accompanied him fell asleep. Jesus said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise let us go! Here comes the betrayer." (Mt. 26: 45-46)

The trial was a swift one. Jesus was sentenced to die on the cross on Friday. He was so weak after he had been scourged that he was unable to carry his own cross. They spit on Jesus and mocked him. They cast lots for the few possessions that he had.

When he died his legs were not broken as those of the thieves were. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. A huge stone was rolled to cover the tomb’s entrance. A guard was placed nearby to guard it.

In spite of everything a resurrected Jesus appeared to his friends on Sunday morning. It is the resurrection that is the key to Christianity.

Never was this scenario more vivid to me than when I saw the movie "The Passion of the Christ." I saw that the movie was on television last night, but I made a conscious decision not to watch it. The first time I watched it was in the theater and there was not a dry eye in the house. Everything was done with such dramatic images. I knew that I could not sit through it again all by myself.

I remember that the betrayal scene was so graphic. Just think our Lord and Savior was betrayed with a kiss, something we think of as denoting love and respect. Peter did end up denying Jesus three times. When he heard the cock crow, he was beside himself. Of course, we know that eventually Judas Iscariot tried to return the money but when the powers that be rejected his plan to return the money he ended up committing suicide.

Everything is so dark and gloomy on Good Friday. The Christian, however, knows that all is not lost. He knows that the resurrection is part of this story. It is through the resurrection that we as Christians are saved by grace. The only way to heaven is through Jesus. We cannot earn our way to heaven. It is a gift paid for with an enormous price.

I could not let Easter pass without expressing my faith. I serve a risen Savior and that has made all the difference. I included scriptural references so that you could look things up if you choose to. The Easter story is there for you to read – the whole thing. If you ever get a chance to see that movie I mentioned I highly recommend it. It was well worth the time and the money. Although graphic in spots, it reminded me of just what Jesus went through during Holy Week. It was a study in humility for those of us who call ourselves Christians.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1.