Happy Resurrection Sunday!

For the first time in a decade I won't be preaching for Easter this year. As I sit in quarantine in the middle of the desert and thought about that; I realized that I spent Christmas separated from my family and others in quarantine, and now Easter as well. Two points of the year where we celebrate the birth of our savior and the accomplished work of our savior.

It's easy for me to get annoyed with the separation and the circumstances of my situation, but then I think about the inheritance that is mine through the accomplished work of Christ. We are sojourners in this world, separated from God by sin, awaiting the return of our King. It's easy to get annoyed and distracted about circumstances during our separation, but the life of a believer should be marked by our focus on the cross and the empty tomb.

In 1 Peter 1:3-6 we read: "3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials." We do endure various trials, but our rejoicing is in the cross.

Being separated from others in this time has helped me to appreciate my family, my church, and being around other believers all the more. But even greater than this, it has allowed me to appreciate that the world has nothing to offer me. All that I need is in Christ. I am merely a sojourner in this place awaiting either the return of the King or my departure to Him. There is tremendous truth for the believer in Paul's statement to the Philippians: "21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Php 1:21-26)"

As you celebrate the resurrection with your family and with the church family give them a hug, love them, enjoy them; but praise and thank God for the salvation and inheritance that is yours through Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Steve