Resurrection Day - How Much God Loves Us!

Well, in some ways today, Resurrection Day, 2020 of Easter 2020 is definitely different from many others.

We’re all mostly at home  for a start (unless in essential work, and thanks if you are!). 

However the Reality, the Hope, the Joy of Resurrection Day is definitely NOT  diminished as a consequence of current events.

In fact the present  pandemic, COVID-19, means the Victory by Christ over death in an empty tomb is even more important, wonderful!

More powerful!

For if we are sick, or near, dear ones are, or perhaps some even die

- by faith in Christ we have this Resurrection Hope!

So just HOW much does God love you, me, the whole world?
This thought was triggered by this.

I thought it most apt for this celebration of the Resurrection Day.

So much LOVE!
... could we do as the Father God has done, I wonder?

Could we sacrifice our only son? 

For the good of others?

And yet, in part some have.  
Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, at God's command, as he believed the Lord would raise him up (see story here). Many mothers have sent their sons off to war, knowing they may never see them again this side of the grave.

But you see that is the key.

This side of the grave. 

Because of Christ’s Resurrection, we by faith may have the hope of eternal resurrection! 
By simple faith in Lord Jesus. 

This simple faith is of course the sticking point for our hope of eternity   - which I will deal with below..

Let’s for now walk with those grieving women that very early that first day of the week after Jesus’ death. 
We may know this story but it’s always a joy to revisit it. I always learn something new!

Matthew 28:1-10
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

NEW! Wonderful every time I read it!
Firstly the earthquake to roll the stone away! 
Another miracle - an earthquake to roll a huge stone. 
Jesus death had a 3 hour eclipse, all encompassing darkness when God, the Father, turned His back on His only Son. 
Jesus had all of our sin laid upon Him! He hung upon the cross in agony, all alone, bearing the sins of the world, cut off from His Father.  
My sin, the horrific wickedness of all mankind.. all was laid on our perfect, loving Saviour. 
Immeasurable love!

NEW and fresh as I read is the awe, fear, wonder then joy these dear women must have felt in greeting their risen Lord. 
Last time they had seen Him - He was "more marred than any man", dead after a cruel, tortuous death upon a Roman cross. 

Now He was very much alive!
And Jesus words to the women are very much the words He would say to all of us today!
1. Be NOT afraid
2. Go tell.. (of Him)

The whole pivotal point for any of us, this Resurrection Day 2020 is:
 ARE we missing heaven by 15 inches (40cm)?

Or the distance from my head to my heart.

I may know in my head that Jesus died for my sins, for all my lies, deceit, anger, etc. However unless this is believed upon in my heart, unless it is personal and mine, I do not have the gift  of eternal life. 
I have not received it.
It's as if Jesus died in vain for me, because I've not believed in Him.
*****
When I was 12 years old down at the beach where I now walk, I prayed with my sister's teacher. Admitting simply that I was a sinner, thanking the Lord Jesus for dying for my sin upon the cross, and then I asking  Him to save me from my sin and be my Saviour! 
I remember singing and singing afterwards, walking along the beach ..   because I was so happy that the angels in heaven were rejoicing over one little lost sheep, who was now found!
(see Luke 15)! 
Joy unspeakable!

An excellent video is here with two amazing stories of lives Christ transformed!
(It's a short Billy Graham video, old & new footage, simply titled "the Cross") 

I'd like to share this hymn, which like many I have come to love!
What beautiful words, three little words that encapsulate what Easter means!
In Christ Alone!

(link here too)
As we walk through each day, let us live in the light of the Resurrection morning.. 
That the joy may be there in spite of our circumstances. 
It matters not where our Lord takes us in our day,
but whether our Risen Lord walks with us!

If we belong to Jesus, He said: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

May this bless you, dear ones. These posts are often a real struggle to write, but I am always blessed by them. 
I pray you are also. 
"He must increase, 
I must decrease". 
John 3:30

Lord bless and keep you and all those whom you love safe on His care,  
prayer hugs, 
Shaz in Oz. X 🙏🤗

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
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