One hundred years ago, Dr. R.W. Dale, a preacher in Birmingham, England, sat in his study, working on that year’s Easter sermon.
He had preached many Easter sermons over the years. What could he say this year that he hadn’t said before? As he pondered the Easter event, the reality of Christ’s resurrection suddenly broke upon him as never before.
Later, he recorded his experience: “‘Christ is alive!’ I said to myself. ‘Alive!’ Then I paused: ‘Alive!’ Then I paused again: ‘Alive!’ Can that really be true? Living as I myself am? I got up and walked about, repeating, ‘Christ is living! Christ is living!’ At first it seemed strange and hardly true, but at last it came upon me as a burst of sudden glory.”
The miracle of Christ’s resurrection makes all the difference in the world.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, we need not fear death as though it is the end for us. By conquering death, Jesus reveals to us that there is more for us to look forward to on the other side of our life on this earth.
Because Jesus overcame the grave, we can be assured that there is nothing that we will encounter that is too much for Christ to handle on our behalf.
Because Jesus came alive again, we can be certain that nothing can separate us from his love —not even death or our sins or anything else.
In an art gallery one day, a man gazed intently at a picture of Jesus hanging lifelessly on the Cross. Tears trickled down the man’s cheeks as he contemplated the pain Jesus suffered. Beside the man stood a young girl, looking at the same painting. The tearful man asked the girl, “Do you know who that is in the picture?”
“Sure,” the girl replied. That’s Jesus. He died for our sins. I learned that in Sunday school.”
A short time later, the man walked away from the picture. He hadn’t gone far when he felt a tug on his coat. “Say, Mister,” the young girl said, “I want you to know that you don’t need to cry. Jesus came alive again!”
Since a death sentence could not defeat him and a sealed tomb could not contain him, we can face everything with hope!
Editor’s note: Tom Tripp is a retired pastor. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
