WHAT IS EASTER ? 20120404


WHAT IS EASTER ?

This year Easter is celebrated on the 8th of April.  It is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead which is our guarantee of being raised from the dead.  There is no doubt about his death on the cross for “one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:34).  “Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, placed it in his own new tomb he had cut out of the rock.  He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away (Matthew 27:59,60).

“The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.  “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’  So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day.  Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead.  This last deception will be worse than the first.”  “Take a guard,” Pilate answered.  “Go make the tomb as secure as you know how.”  So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard’ (Matthew 27:62-66).

‘After the Sabbath, at the dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women,  “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples:  He has risen from the dead”’ (Matthew 28:1-7).

‘A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them.  Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands, Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”’ (John 20:26-29).                  

“I am the resurrection and the life,” declares Jesus.  “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).

My son Tom3 and his son Sam were recently visiting in their search for the college that his sam would best like to attend.  Then my daughter Carolyn was here this past weekend to celebrate my 81st birthday.  Family means a lot to me and I’m sure your family means a lot to you.  I trust all is well with you and your family.

Your Friend,
Tom Atkinson
    

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