“The Lord is risen – He is risen indeed” is the familiar greeting to be exchanged by millions of Christian Believers this Easter Sunday morning. It is the truth of this statement which makes everything worthwhile, for as Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers- “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (1Cor 15:13-4). A few verses later Paul went on to write, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (v19), but that is surely the point, it is not only in this life we have hope, but for all eternity.
It is this steadfast and certain conviction which empowers Christians to suffer for their faith in God. Jesus told the story of a rich man who died and was burning in torment in hell, he looked up and saw a beggar who during his lifetime on Earth had sat at the gate of his house begging – now comforted for all eternity in the bosom of Abraham. There is much to take from this story, but my point in this case is that the sufferings of this life (for righteousness sake) are not to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us in the next life.
Let us not try and save our lives,but commit them into the hands of Him who rose from the grave triumphant for all men who would simply put their trust in Him for eternal life.
Have a blessed and joyful Easter.