Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
We have spent the season of Lent looking inward at our own sins. It is the season of repentance, and it is only right that we would examine ourselves and bring our sins to the cross.
But the resurrection of Jesus draws our attention away from ourselves and toward our Lord Jesus. If we need to know that we are sinners we look at ourselves. If we need to know that we are loved by God, forgiven of our sins, and blessed with everlasting life, we look to the crucified and risen Jesus. Easter draws our eyes off our “self” and focuses on the One who saves us.
“By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” (First John 3:19-20)
Only the resurrected Jesus reconciles us to God, restores our fallen nature, and fills us with everlasting joy. Do not look to yourself this Easter season. Look to Jesus. Focus on Him, receive His gifts, and rejoice in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
In Christ,
Joshua Theilen
Assistant Pastor