Monthly Devotional

Because of Easter...

April 2009

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)

A few years ago, on a week before Easter, I took my daughters to see their adopted Grandma Aunt Rae one last time. The girls and I had longed to say “good bye” but had been prevented from visiting because of our various illnesses. When we finally arrived, Aunt Rae had just slipped into a deep sleep. Nine-year-old Christine pulled out her violin and began playing a chorus by Handel as we all watched for any flicker of awareness.

When Christine finished, she turned back to us, and I saw tears streaming down her face. She had quietly sobbed while she played. My heart broke for her and for my seven-year-old daughter, Julia, who longed to leave last words of love.

But because of Easter, someday they will.

On the way home, we discussed how we would see Aunt Rae and talk to her again. She died before Easter and would spend a glorious resurrection day in heaven. We may not always get to say all our earthly good byes, but we look forward to an eternity of hellos. All because of Easter.

What else can you know because of Easter? Philip Yancey writes,

Because of Easter, I can hope that the tears we shed, the blows we receive, the emotional pain, the heartache over lost friends and loved ones, all these will become memories, like Jesus’ scars. Scars never completely go away, but neither do they hurt any longer. We will have re-created bodies, a re-created heaven and earth. We will have a new start, an Easter start.

That which can seem so dead can be made alive with His resurrection power. An Easter start! The One who conquered death can bring life to a stale church, reconciliation to fractured relationships, and resurrected love to stale marriages.

In The Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian highlights Mary Magdalene’s joy in discovering Jesus’ resurrection.

The joy of seeing something hopelessly dead brought to life is the greatest joy we can know. The power that resurrected Jesus is the very same power that will resurrect the dead places of your marriage and put life back into it. “God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” (1 Corinthians 6:14)

What seems dead in your life? What needs healing or reconciliation? Bring it to the Lord in consistent and committed prayer. Because of Easter you can have a heart full of hope and joy! Alleluia!

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Jesus, I sing your praises! Alleluia! You have risen! Your redeeming work is done. You have won the battle, burst the gates of hell, and opened paradise for me! There is no sting of death because you are victorious over the grave. Thank you for the glorious hope of the resurrection. Because you live, I, too, shall live eternally with you. Praise the Risen Lord!

Excerpt adapted from Preparing My Heart for Easter by Ann Marie Stewart.

Copyright Ann Stewart 2009 - All rights reserved.
Used by permission
No reprint without author’s permission

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