In this post we wish to convey to our readers and supporters our hope for a blessed Easter and Resurrection Sunday.
What a wonder of grace our salvation is, and that wonder is on full display at the cross and empty tomb of Jesus Christ! May we be led again to Calvary to behold the Lamb of God slain for sinners and to the open sepulchre of our Savior to hear His messenger declare, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:5,6)
For our meditation this week, we include these words from a radio sermon of Rev. Carl Haak (PRTS 1979), pastor emeritus of Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI. This was an Easter message from April 2009, titled "Communion with Our Risen Savior."
"We gather today, too, on the Resurrection Day. Every Sabbath is the Resurrection Day. Every Sabbath is the Lord’s Day. We gather with our risen Savior, for He is truly here. Jesus Christ is gathered today with His church. No one need open the door for Him, for He is here by His Spirit. He had said to us, “Lo, I am with you always.” You say, “I want to see Him with my human eye. I want to touch Him.” But then I must point out to you, as we read these wonderful resurrection accounts in the Scriptures, that it was not the Lord’s physical presence that convinced the church of the gospel of the resurrection.
"Rather, verse 45 of Luke 24, “then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” This is the way that the risen Jesus makes Himself known unto us. He makes Himself known through the gift of faith implanted in the heart by the Holy Spirit. And then, through the Holy Scriptures, as they are opened to our understanding.
"Communion with your risen Lord Jesus today and always is your need. It is the answer to every burden placed upon your heart by God. If you do not have communion with Him, you have no comfort. If you live your life far away from this risen Savior, the call is “Repent or perish.” The risen Savior, through His living Word, by His Spirit, makes Himself known to us that we might have communion with the Lord of life.
"... And Jesus, the risen Jesus, now through the Holy Scriptures and by the preaching of the gospel, appears to His children. I see Him. Do you? Lord! Conqueror. Eternal Son. Ruler. All hail the power of Jesus’ name. Bow down and worship Him!
"And I hear Him. Do you? He speaks peace. “Son, thy sins are forgiven. Daughter, new life is imparted. Weary child of God, the hope of glory is yours.” The risen Jesus appears with His gathered church through His Word and by His Spirit. We see Him. We hear Him. And He says, “'Because I live, ye shall live also.'”