Celebrating Jesus' Easter victory for a lost sinner like me

It has been quite a year! Just over 12 months ago life the way we know it changed, perhaps for a long time. The coronavirus brought illness and death around the world. In response businesses were closed. School were closed. Places of worship were closed. All this was done to prevent the spread of this disease about which we knew so little, but which seemed so dangerous. Because of all these closures few if any Christians celebrated Easter in worship services held in person in churches in 2020. Easter this year will be the first opportunity for many children of God to celebrate this most important day with an “in person” worship service with other Christians. By the way, Scripture tells us that when God created the world it was “very good.” (Genesis 1:31) Disease is a consequence of people sinning and turning away from the Lord.

In the middle of the response to the COVID pandemic, George Floyd was killed while being detained by police officers in Minneapolis. Protests, riots, destruction of property, and even the loss of lives erupted around the United States. Our orderly country devolved into chaos. These race riots turned America upside down. Racism is sin. Violence is sin. There have been on-going consequences in our country since these events last year.

America also experienced a divisive election cycle during the last 12 months. Both sides of the political spectrum believed the other side was acting for their own interest, not for the good of the country. Leaders acted in ways that many deemed unethical. Many citizens lost faith in government. Yet, God has established authorities and governments to provide civil order. God’s intent is that good government punishes evil and rewards good behavior. (Romans 13:1-7) God calls us to pray for authorities so we can live “quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) You can see the sin which is involved as governments and countries move away from God’s intent for these institutions.