Watch Pastor Green’s Easter Message from Youtube here.
On Friday the disciples of Jesus, men and women, lost the one they loved. Several good men claimed the body from the Romans, and buried it in a garden tomb. Several of the women followed, so they would know where his body was. The wanted to be close to the earthly part of him for a little longer.
On Sunday, the women went to the garden early, while it was yet dark, and they discovered the Empty Tomb. The stone had been rolled away. A young man, dressed in white, or two young men, or two angel tells told that they sought the living among the dead, for Jesus was no longer there, in the tomb. The women ran to spread the news.
According to St. John the first to see the risen Jesus was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom Jesus once cast seven devils. At first Mary did not recognize him. But then he spoke and called her by name. She knew his voice, she knew it was him. It is significant that Jesus and Mary meet in a garden.
According to Genesis, the human family started life in a garden. Even so, that is where sin came in, and death–or at least the fear of death, through sin. Now, in a garden, sin and death, have been vanquished. “Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures.” “He was buried.” “He was raised on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures.” (1st Corinthians 15)
The war with sin and death is not over, but the decisive battle has been fought and won. The New Man, Jesus, who is an archetype of all new men greets a new woman, Mary, for she too has been redeemed. He from death; she from her “devils.” His Risen life holds promise for her life in the heavenly kingdom of grace, and for ours.
The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!
Watch Pastor Green’s Easter Message from Youtube here. Today science says, “No Soul.” We say, “No problem.” Science has finally caught up with the biblical idea of resurrection. The Greeks believed in the immortality of the soul. The Bible teaches the resurrection of the dead. According to the primary thread of Scripture, when we die, we die; but God remembers us, calls us by name, and gives us new life. Jesus Christ died. Jesus Christ has been raised from death. Watch the message!