WELCOME TO THE RESURRECTION!

I have daffodils in my yard that bloom just in time for Easter every year. It doesn’t matter if Easter comes early or late, the daffodils are right on cue every year. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. And truthfully, after these crazy Missouri winters, the Springtime daffodils are a welcome sign.

Aahh, Spring. It’s what most people have longed for over the long, arduous winter. It’s a sign of welcome relief. It’s that season that gives us assurance of new life. The brown turns to green. The drab and dreary suddenly get painted with vibrant color. The dormant slowly begin to yawn and stretch and wake up from their long slumber. The dead comes to life. It’s like a free “do-over” every year. It’s a fresh, new start. Yes…Spring!

I love how God, in His infinite wisdom, coincided Spring and Easter. It’s fitting. It’s perfect in its timing and symbolism. Death is conquered. Darkness turns to light. There is new hope and new birth. This is nothing short of the mercy of our great God at work.

Listen to the words of the Apostle Peter: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

The resurrection of Jesus does indeed bring new birth. Every time we revisit the Cross, not only should we feel the anguish of the penalty Jesus paid for us, but we should look forward to His resurrection as well. If perhaps during the previous season of winter, our souls have grown cold and dark, we have simply to gaze upon the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to experience a fresh, new start. His resurrection is our living hope. It’s our promise that new life awaits. Regardless of what our past few months have been—or past few years for that matter—it’s a free “do-over” in which we can awaken from our sinful slumber into the forgiving assurance of new life found in Him.

God said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). “All things” includes you and me as well. “All things” includes your baggage, your darkness, your ugly insides, your past mistakes, your brokenness, your scars, your sins, your rebellion, and your pride. “All things” includes the drab, dreary, dormant, and dead that is associated with your thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and actions, or lack thereof.

Need new life? Need new hope? Need a fresh, new start?

Welcome to God’s mercy!
Welcome to new birth!
Welcome to living hope!
…Welcome to the Resurrection!