In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ changed everything.
Adam’s bones were cleansed in the holy blood of the Lamb. The veil covering the Presence of God was torn from top to bottom, from God to you – no longer is there a separation between God and man. The stone of sin that kept you entombed has been removed. The Greater Jonah has bounded from His three-day bed. The strong man has been bound by the Stronger-Than-He. The cherubim no longer bar the way to paradise. And the great dragon of old has been made a toothless lion.
The Day of Resurrection is the eternal Eighth Day on which the sun never sets. All of creation has been restored now while awaiting and groaning for a fulfillment in the not yet. When the Son of God died on Friday it was finished. There was, and is, no more to do. Justification for the sins of the entire world is complete. Do you believe this? If you do, thanks be to God for this gift of faith! If you do not, repent, receive, and believe while there is yet time.
In His death, Jesus crushed the serpent’s head and Death was overcome by death. The wood of the Second Isaac’s sacrificial pyre has become for you a Greater Tree of Life with healing leaves and life-giving fruit in overflowing abundance. The Father has sacrificed His only-begotten Son for you. There was no ram caught in the thicket to offer as a substitute for Him, but He was the Ram caught in a thicket of nails, thorns, and whips, willingly laying down His life in love for your sins and for the sins of the entire world.
He died. He rose. He lives, today and forever. You are baptized into His death and resurrection: His death was your death. His resurrection is your resurrection. In this you have been sealed, anointed, with God’s own Name, promise, and Spirit; nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
The strife is over, the battle won, but the old evil foe is still bent on the destruction of those whom God loves in Jesus. He is a liar and the father of lies. He tells you that Jesus did not rise again. He tells you that Jesus did not die for you, that you are not worthy, or that you are beyond the scope of salvation. But, lies are his only weapons, the lion has no teeth. Nevertheless, he will find much prey, and what a sorrowful tragedy that is.
Eat Jesus’ body, drink Jesus’ blood, and do this in remembrance of His death and resurrection: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Do not fall prey to the devil’s lies. Love your neighbor that they may not fall prey to the devil’s lies as Christ has loved you today and always unto eternity.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
In the + Name of our Victorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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