InTouch April 2022

Dear friends,

As Christians, we all look forward to the Easter Period. It is the time to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ as He demonstrates His love and His works for salvation. It is also the time to reflect on the resurrection of Christ when He rose again three days later.

But what if someone was to ask “What is the greatest event - the death or the resurrection of Christ?” That would be impossible to answer.

The sacrifice of Christ to make atonement for our sins meant death. His role of sin bearer and becoming sin for us meant death. Without the death of Christ we would have no cleansing, no forgiveness of sin. Just as the Hebrew writer puts it in Hebrews 9:22 ‘The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness’. So the death of Christ was absolutely crucial for our provision.

Yet the resurrection of Christ gives to us greater joy and assurance. If there was no resurrection of Christ, then there would be no hope. 1 Corinthians 15:17 ‘If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins’.

So the benefits of Christ’s resurrection are forgiveness of past sins, power for present living and hope for future destiny. The fact that Christ rose again guarantees our resurrection which means we will find ourselves at home with Christ in heaven for all eternity. It is for that reason that we call it Easter Joy.

May you all know this Easter Joy of Christ’s resurrection.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Tim