Living in Jesus’ very real Easter victory

If you read the news these days there are stories of a giant bomb being dropped on Afghanistan, and missiles hitting Syria, and threats from North Korea against the United States and others. Jesus said that to the end there would be wars and rumors of wars. But the tensions seem to be ramping up.

If you read the news in Alaska, the legislature is talking about cutting teaching positions, and possibly getting rid of the Pioneer Homes, doing away with the Permanent Fund, and adding an income tax. I know oil prices are down and times are tough, but these changes still could lead to real hardships for Alaskans.

On our prayer list at St. John we have been praying for a member who is in the hospital for chemotherapy treatment. At the same time members of the church in Funny River asked us to pray for a very ill baby. But, she died in surgery. Maybe you have other serious concerns for the prayers of God’s people.

All these troubles in our lives can seem overwhelming, but . . . Jesus rose on Easter!

God speaks to all Christians facing trials through Paul’s words in Romans 8. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Because Jesus suffered and died for the sins of the world, and because He rose again victorious over sin and death, nothing can separate us from God’s love . . . “that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I may personally feel overwhelmed by the trials in this world. But, because Jesus rose, the writer to the Hebrews could encourage Christians of all ages with God’s love, saying. 5 . . . God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Jesus resurrection victory is real. Jesus’ rising guarantees eternal life for those who live in God’s love. And, Jesus’ rising from the dead blesses our lives in this world, even in the middle of life’s troubles and tragedies.

The angels of God appeared at Christmas and sang to the shepherds. But, on Easter Sunday we hear the angels at Jesus’ empty tomb tell the disciples, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5 b – 6a)

Easter is not just a nice story from 2000 years ago. The truth of Jesus’ righteous life, His sacrificial death, and His victorious resurrection have impact on our lives today. We can face bombings, and illness, and budget cuts, and whatever trial or tragedy life brings because of Jesus’ victory!

Christians have shouted a proclamation of Jesus’ Easter rising for ages. “He is risen!” “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!” May God’s Easter victory bless your life to know real victory over the trials and sin of this life.

Jonathan Rockey is the pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.