Lord’s Day, Vol. 5 No. 17
Easter Sunrise Service
The most significant day in human history is the day when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, rose from the dead. Harold W. Hoehner in his book “Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ”, gave the date to be 5 April A.D. 33. On that glorious morning, death is conquered, hell is vanquished, and heaven won!
All who confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead shall be saved. Saved from the judgment of hell fire and be given eternal life in heaven. This is the gospel or good news of peace and glad tidings that we proclaim with great rejoicing to a world without hope.
The late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones articulated it well, “There can be no more urgent question at this present time than just this: What is Christianity? I say that because this gospel is the only hope in the world today. Everything else has been tried and found wanting. Everything else has failed. You will not find hope with the philosophers or with the statesmen, and you will not find it in the so-called religion of the world. Here is hope, and here alone.”
Early morning, last Lord’s Day, a gathering of 66 of our members and friends assembled at the scenic Gardens by the Bay for worship to remember the day of Christ’s resurrection.
We studied John 20:1-16 the scene where the resurrected Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene with these words of comfort, “Woman, why weepest thou?” Indeed, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5). Jesus conquered death and is alive!
Mary Magdalene, was from the town of Magdala. She was demon possessed and miserable. Life was a living hell for her. But Jesus saved her. Jesus chased away the demons and healed her. Jesus restored Mary’s sanity, and she was full of love to her Lord. Mary was the first person whom Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. What a privilege!
Everyone could see the difference in Mary Magdalene’s life. She devoted her life wholly to love and serve her Lord. Her gratitude to Christ was seen in action. She owed much, gave much. Loved much, served much.
When we have been forgiven much, we also know how to love much. This is Mary Magdalene for our learning. We see her strong love for Jesus. She came first to Jesus’ tomb before daybreak to remember her Lord. She was sad, but Jesus rejoiced her heart.
All who are bound by the shackles of sin, are bidden to witness the empty tomb and behold the resurrected Christ. Because He lives, we live. Because He rose from the grave, so will we. Christians have the hope that they will see their departed loved ones again. This is our blessed hope!
Jesus says, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)
Jesus’s resurrection was the seal of the great work that He came on earth to do. It was the crowning proof that Jesus paid it all. The ransom He paid for sinners was accepted by God the Father and the atonement for sin accomplished. Jesus bruised the head of Satan and conquered death. Victory was won. He freed us from the bondage of sin to give to us peace and joy and eternal life!
The resurrection gives authority to the church’s witness in the world. The apostles in the Book of Acts were evangelistic, their focus was the proclamation that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead! They saw the resurrected Christ! The Spirit of God filled them to boldly proclaim the truth.
May God use us to be His witnesses. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee
