Easter 2024

Jesus died alone.

Here’s a humorous twist to the content:

Picture this: It was like a classic ‘everyone bails at the last minute’ scenario. The disciples, bless their hearts, except John, vanished into thin air, leaving poor Jesus to face the music all by himself. But guess what? He pulled off the ultimate underdog victory, taking down Satan and conquering sin and death solo. That’s what I call a plot twist!

Yet Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice on the cross is depicted in John’s Gospel as his coronation, with the resurrection as the revealing. It marks the glorious beginning of his reign on earth.

Jesus is our example

Jesus’ self-sacrifice was vindicated in his resurrection. It is so far-reaching that one small blog post cannot do justice to what Jesus achieved. The resurrection of Jesus shows that he defeated Satan and also the powers of sin and of death. (Other issues such as Jesus paying a ransom for us, freeing us from slavery to sin, being a substitute and other things are better covered in what happened on the cross.)

Jesus Christ is risen and in him we are risen. Hallelujah! What a saviour.

Jesus is our teacher

Jesus being our example only works because of who he is, God in the form of man, and what he has achieved.

Jesus’ Reign and the Hopeful Message of Psalms

Jesus is King, and his reign has already begun! Before diving into Psalms 20 to 24, let’s take a moment to appreciate the profound wisdom and encouragement found in the Psalms. They beautifully portray the worship of God in every season of life.

These specific Psalms, penned by David, focus on the concept of royalty and were likely intended for his descendants who would assume the throne after him. However, like many lamenting passages in the Bible, they also carry prophetic significance. For instance, Psalm 22 serves as a poignant portrayal of suffering, a song that Jesus himself quoted during his crucifixion. Over the centuries, Christians have recognized its foresight regarding Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. On the other hand, Psalm 24 vividly depicts the triumphant return of the King, partially realized in Jesus’ resurrection and eagerly anticipated in his second coming.

In the midst of these monumental themes lies Psalm 23—the place where we find ourselves today. We are living in the reality of Psalm 23, basking in the victory secured by Jesus Christ. Our hope and triumph are intricately woven into the story of Jesus.

The Godhead and humanity intertwined

The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything for us. Jesus Christ has won the victory, we have our victory in him. Jesus has overcome the world therefore we have overcome the world. John put it like this:

⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:5

It’s not just the world that we conquer. John really laid it out earlier (2:13-14) that even the devil, evil spirits, and death are no match for us. We believers won’t have to deal with the second death, a big deal in Revelation, which happens to be another masterpiece by John.

OK. But like many, I’m grappling with a deep internal conflict. It’s natural to have moments when our behavior doesn’t reflect our beliefs or values. Recognizing these shortcomings is a crucial step in personal growth. It’s important to remember that we are all imperfect and constantly learning. I’m struggling to love your neighbour as myself is a powerful realization. Like you, probably, I feel unworthy of God’s boundless love, but it’s precisely during these times that embracing the idea of God’s unlimited love provides solace and guidance. Focusing on God and striving to embody His love in our actions can help bridge the gap between theory and practice. But I fail to focus on God, so that when I love my neighbour as I love myself and I do not realize God’s love for them or me then I fail to live up to my own standards. How can I escape this vicious circle?

Reading back, I realize what I have just written as my experience looks alarmingly like Paul speaking of this same problem in himself. My answer is also the same as his …

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 7:25 – 8:1-2 ESVUK

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Incarnation – Epiphany – The baptism of Jesus – Temptation – Good Friday – Easter – Ascension – Pentecost – Trinity – The Return (advent 2024)