Today we celebrate the event that changed history, the trajectory of civilization, and the hope of mankind, both in this life and beyond - the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Without the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the birth, life, and teachings of the One Who claimed - and now proved to be the Son of God - would be nothing more than the greatest hoax and demoralizing sham in all history.  Instead, the transformation of billions of human hearts and subsequent service to mankind as a result, are testament from generation to generation and nation to nation, that He lives and moves in the hearts of those who know Him. Confounding the worldly wise, it is "in Him" that we who believe, "live and move and have our being."  Acts17:28 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, knowing Who was in her womb, said, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden...and His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation."

At the beginning of His earthly ministry, He opened the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah written 5 centuries earlier, and read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach (proclaim) the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

His cry from the Cross that "It is finished" is witness to the completion of that for which He was called by His heavenly Father, and anointed in power by the Spirit of God to do.

Dying in our place and for our sin, and rising from the dead, made deliverance from our captivity to sin and death, the healing of our broken hearts through forgiveness, recovery from our past, and the joy of the Lord, not just  'possible', but a reality for all who call upon His name in repentance and childlike faith.

Nothing will take His place in the panoply of manmade religions or current efforts to amalgamate Him and His followers into a one world religion of man's concoction. Nothing will bring redemptive change to our lives, communities, and nation other than the living Christ Who dwells in our hearts by faith, giving direction and peace in the midst of a dark, confused, and dangerous world.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace, I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

He is risen!  Peace be unto you.