One of our family members shared a treasured Easter tradition practiced by many Russian people, inspired by their Eastern Orthodox religion. Instead of saying, "Hello" to one another, they say, "Christ is Risen!" The response is, "Truly, He is Risen!" See Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6.
What a wonderful greeting. In a world so often filled with despair, these are words of truth and hope. Because Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead, we shall also live again. The Apostle Paul put it this way, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Every person born on earth will rise again, because Christ rose from the grave. In all the history of the world, there is no event more important than the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Several years ago when my wife's sister passed away, she went to a mortuary to make funeral arrangements. Another family was there mourning the loss of a loved one. They were weeping bitter tears, with no hope of seeing their loved one again. How grateful my wife was for her sure testimony that there is life beyond the grave. Though she missed her sister deeply and still does, she has a "perfect brightness of hope" (2 Nephi 31:20) that she will see her sister again after this life.
I express my gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
I know, through the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. He not only died and was resurrected to make it possible for all of us to live again. He also paid the price of our sins. If we have faith in Him, repent of our sins, and obey his commandments, we will not only be resurrected, but we will live with Him again.
I gladly add my testimony to countless others who have testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ down through the ages. I rejoice with all others this day who say, from their heart, "He is risen!" For, indeed, "Truly He is risen!"
The belief of the resurrection has been such a huge part of my lifetime of faith that I can't comprehend how heartsick I would be without it. Today as we talked about the meaning of Easter as a family our 5 year old daughter told us what resurrection is. Then said that she told her friend about it and she didn't believe it. Our daughter was incredulous, like me, she couldn't imagine someone not having that understanding.
ReplyDeleteWithout a belief in a real life after this, with a physical body capable of temporal works, this life would have little meaning. It would be difficult to find a reason to strive and improve.
Thanks for your blog...loved the personal touch...great use of the scriptures. It is concise and yet thought provoking! I forwarded the web site to all the kids. Thanks for sharing and thanks for taking the time to give frequent reminders of how precious the scriptures are. Every day I read searching for particular answers...and indeed the answers come. With Easter still a month away for us here in Russia...it was a treat to read of that most precious gift of the Resurrection!
ReplyDelete