Talk Tuesday-Happy Easter: The Message of Hope!!!

This Christmas, we attended a celebration Mass in which the priest wished everyone a 'Happy Easter!' For a moment, we all seemed confused, wondering if he had gotten his seasons or dates mixed up. His sermon was, 'From the Cradle to the Grave.' Christmas, he argued, was the beginning of Easter, and Easter, he poignantly noted, is the crux of Christianity. The CROSS means that the debt of our sin has been paid for, we are forgiven. GOD's love and justice meet mercy and grace in the sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST on the CROSS. The RESURRECTION means that death and hell are defeated!!!!!!!!!

The Prophet Isaiah writes, “6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Imagine, God promised King David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever,” 2 Samuel 7:16. Jesus, a direct descendant from David's lineage, is called 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David', Revelation 5:5.

God provided a way for the atonement of sin. "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," Hebrews 9:22. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

At the CROSS Jesus defeated death. "14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Hebrews 2:14-15

Jesus promises us eternal life! "For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40

In the midst of pain, suffering, there is a message of hope that cannot be silenced. JESUS CHRIST died just for you! Happy Easter from us at BGO!!!!!