Easter time! Spring, new life, and hope of brighter days ahead.

Easter is a major event in many church calendars. But the word ‘Easter’ does not actually appear in the Bible. The translators of the 1611 Authorised Version did use it when defining a time when the apostle Peter was in prison:

…[Herod] intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Acts 12:4

However, most English translations say ‘Passover’, because that is what the original Greek word means.  Jesus was crucified at the time of the Jewish annual festival of Passover. And, more importantly, that was when he rose from the dead to live for ever.

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Romans 6:9

The word ‘Easter’ was not used until many years later. And although the dates of Passover and Easter are both worked out using the lunar calendar, they have slightly different rules. So although this year (2022) they coincide, this is not always true.

The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in our history. Other world-changing events only affect this life. The resurrection of Jesus can affect us for ever.

 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:19–20

So those people ‘in Christ’, his true followers, also hope to live for ever; in a transformed world, when he comes back. If they die first, then they too can be raised from the dead. This is the most amazing hope of a new life and a future brighter than we can imagine.

There is a lot of fear in the world. Despite reassurances by our leaders, people are worried about many things: the effects of the pandemic, climate change and now talk of world war.

Where is God?  Can we solve the problems?

Many people thought that Christianity would unite the world and give us peace and harmony. And the United Nations aimed to do that. But the world is unstable and facing all manner of problems which, at best, spell an uncertain future. Has Christianity failed?

No! The Bible predicted that the world would be as it is. And it also explains why we are in this mess and why we cannot solve the problems.

The Bible does describe a time of peace for the whole world when Jesus comes back, but not before. There is certainty about both aspects of this Bible message. Ultimate peace; but first trouble – serious trouble.

Jesus himself said that people would be:

‘fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world’.

Luke 21:26

There has always been trouble. But before the return of Jesus it will be worse than ever.

Centuries earlier, a Jewish prophet predicted: 

‘there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book’.

Daniel 12:1

The ‘book’ that Daniel refers to is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. It is God’s book of life, containing the names of those who are faithful to Him. They are the people who will be delivered and given eternal life. People with real hope for the future.

So let us read the Bible for ourselves and really take notice of what it tells us. Then we can

‘keep … in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life’.

Jude 1:21

 “They tell others to do something and do not do it themselves”

This quote is from centuries ago! Words of Jesus Christ, about the religious leaders of the day.  He often called them ‘hypocrites’. Another translation reads:

Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do

Matthew 23:3

But before we start to feel too good about ourselves we should consider more words of Jesus. He asked:

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

Warning, in fact, that we can all be hypocrites:

 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Matthew 7:2–3

It is a sad fact that we all have a tendency to see and exaggerate the faults in others while minimizing our own. And we are also quick to judge situations without knowing all the facts or motives.

But God knows all:

O Lord… You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

Psalm 139:1–4

God is our judge, and will determine our destiny based on complete knowledge of everything about us.

Let us therefore try to please Him.