Sunday we celebrated Easter. Some woke up to Easter baskets filled with candy and prizes. Some went to an egg hunt. Others dressed in their finest to go to a church service and a delicious dinner at grandma’s house. But, how many of us woke up with visions of a risen Savior who is ALIVE rather than visions of a fluffy bunny that has never existed???
We performed a program at church Easter Sunday called “It’s not just a story”. The program contained music and drama and basically was to remind us that even though the story of Jesus may be so familiar to us that we have memorized most of the details, we may be missing the purpose of this day altogether. One of the song lyrics were, “It’s not just a story, He rose from the grave, it’s my testimony I’m forgiven and saved. It’s not some old fable handed down through the years, my God is willing and able, mighty and stable.” That speaks volumes about where our focus should be when it comes to this holiday. As we attempt to share with this next generation or any who wish to know the story of Jesus there needs to be an element of our part in the story; our testimony. For some hearing of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ can seem like a lovely fable, comforting but far removed; historical in nature. But, what if we tell it as a contemporary, ongoing, relevant story that isn’t finished? What if it’s not just “A” story, but it’s “MY” story?
If so, it would go something like this… I wasn’t always the person I am today. I used to live a life full of sin. Then one day someone told me about Jesus; about how much He loves me. They told me that even though there was nothing I could do to rid myself of this sin, Jesus had already given His life to pay the penalty of my sin and only He could forgive me. I needed to be sorry that I had offended a Holy God, and ask His forgiveness. And I did. And guess what…I’m still a sinner. But, I’m forgiven! Ever since that day, I talk to Him all the time, I read His Word, and He reminds me when I’m doing wrong. I don’t want to sin anymore, so I try really hard not to. And Jesus wants me to keep sharing this message with others. Not just on Easter or Christmas but every day! I’m happy to do that for Him. Maybe sometime soon you’ll have the opportunity to share your story with someone. Remember Jesus told us to keep telling our story until He returns for us. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
