April 11, 2023, Reflection on “Celebrate Jesus!”

Celebrate Jesus! He is risen, And He lives forevermore, He is risen. Raise your voices in Joy for the resurrection of our Lord! What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ, my King, we sing to His Glory.

         When Jesus came to earth, what was His purpose? For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10.

How could this be? “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16 -17.

Because God sent Jesus, how did His Life and His Sacrifice, death on the cross, make a difference in the lives of those then and now? As I pondered this, His birth was attended by angels singing… “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:10-14. This message came to the shepherds in the field, not to the rich men or the rulers.

Mary, His Mother, stayed with Jesus through the crucifixion, and then early on the first day of the week, she ran to the tomb with spices to pay homage to her son who suffered so. She found the tomb empty. Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing, white as snow. And for fear of Him, the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee, there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” So, they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples. Matthew 28:1-8.

The thief, crucified with Jesus, had his destiny changed when he believed. And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:41-43.

Impetuous Peter told Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:16. And Peter, a fisherman, became a Fisher of Men, telling them of Jesus, the Son of God.

Even the earth changed at the death of Jesus on the cross. It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

       Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit!” And having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:44-46.

At eight, I accepted Jesus as my Savior eighty-five years ago. I still remember the newness and feeling of hope and joy and peace I felt after baptism. Through the years, I learned to meditate on His Word, and never give up. Faith is taking the next step God lays before us. Trust is being ready for that next step. I often ask, ‘What are You teaching me,’ when I feel hurt, or anxious.

Then I read, And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His  Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30.

Living in a world where everything changes, who do we trust? And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified. Hebrews 13:8-9.

         Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in Him, it is always Yes. 2 Corinthians 17-19.

         Jesus keeps His Promises. He lets us know how to please Him in His Word. The final Promise is in the last book of the Bible. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20.

How do we Celebrate the Presence of Jesus? Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. I Timothy 6:11b-12.