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We have a tendency to become accustom to bad news. The number of dead from the recent Tsunami are mind numbing, yet we soon go on with our lives. Stories from the Middle East and North Korea tend to be quite disheartening as world peace seems an ever illusive dream. It is little wonder a recent study of 30 minute TV news programs revealed that over 6 minutes was devoted to sports and weather, while only 38 seconds was given to world events including the war in Iraq.
Even sports delivers bad news with its steroid scandals in baseball and the death of the hockey season. My home country of Canada is in a state of mourning.
For some of us bad news comes in more personal forms. Today I spoke with a friend who arrived at work a couple of weeks ago to be told his department was closing that day and he was no longer an employee. Recently a friend from college called to say his wife just announced that she and the kids were planning to leave him. We all face disappointments and hardship from time to time.
It light of life's challenges, Easter can never come too early. We all need the reminder that "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (I Cor 15:54). Jesus has broken the power of death and sin when He was raised from the dead on the first Easter Sunday.
The good news of Easter is still good news the rest of the year. In many ways its goodness shines the brightest when then days are the darkest.
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When we stand at the grave of a loved one, the hope of the resurrection has deeper meaning than times when life is easy. When we see the ugliness of our sin, forgiveness because of Easter is more precious than when we feel we are good morally. In the midst of the bad news of 2005 may the good news of Easter bring added hope to our troubled world.
May I encourage you not to gloss over Good Friday to arrive at the joy of Easter. One reason the first disciples were overjoyed that first Easter is because their world came crashing down on Good Friday when Jesus died.
Romans 6 speaks of the key to victorious Christian living as being identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul writes, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Rom 6:4). This verse speaks to the importance of baptism as it connects with Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The principle is also true that out of our painful events in life, God can enter in and bless us with Easter joy and victory.
It feels like it is too early be writing about Easter. Two days ago I was shoveling snow and it seems like winter has a way to go. I remind myself and you that it is never too early to be encouraged by the hope of Easter. May the dark moments of your winter turn to joy as you rejoice in your risen Savior!
-Pastor Rick
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