Greetings in the name of our risen Savior!
I would like to share with you a test that should be familiar.
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
These are beautiful
words used by Saint Paul to express praise and glory to Jesus Christ. Many
people who study the Bible believe that Saint Paul is actually quoting one of
the earliest Christian hymns ever written! There were no hymnals back then
(almost 2000 years ago!) so the music traveled from place to place with the
evangelists. People like Saint Paul brought not only the words of the gospel,
but songs about Jesus, as well. And in this way we connect with our ancestors
in the faith of so long ago.
In this Easter season 2002, we will be singing hymns which share
essentially the same message. We will hear the exact same words of scripture
proclaimed in worship. Such is the joy of God's Word! And we will join our
hearts together in prayer, as Christians have done for centuries past.
The Easter season reminds us not only of the new life resurrection brings,
but the connection we have with the saints of yesterday. And by seeing this
connection, we can better appreciate the saints of today. The Easter season is
a time for us to start over (remember, that's another meaning of "ressurection".)
The Easter season offers us an opportunity to proclaim again those eternal
truths and receive them again into our very souls. Jesus Christ is Lord!
The words of the scripture above proclaim the crux of our Christian faith.
As we enter this Easter season, let us remember that Jesus Christ is our Lord,
our risen Lord. He died that we might live. Let us proclaim it!! This Sunday,
and every day of this Easter season, think about what you have been given -
eternal life - and be thankful!
Sharing with you in Easter joy,
Pastor Jon