The Risen Christ: A Thought for Today

For April 5, 2026
Easter stands at the center of the Christian faith—the moment when sorrow gave way to joy, when death was conquered, and when the hope of eternal life was secured through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 54–57).

In the early morning hours, while the world was still shrouded in darkness, the first witnesses came to the tomb expecting to mourn their beloved Teacher (John 20:1). Instead, they encountered an empty grave and the inconceivable message:

“He is not here; He is risen!” (Luke 24:6; Matthew 28:6)

Fear, confusion, and wonder filled their hearts as the reality of the risen Lord began to unfold.

From that moment forward, everything changed. The risen Christ revealed Himself to His followers—not as a distant memory, but as the living God and Savior (John 20:14–16, 19–20). He called them by name, walked with them, taught them, and opened their understanding. Their doubt was transformed into faith, their fear into boldness, and their despair into unshakable hope (Luke 24:27, 32, 45; John 20:19–21, 27–28).

This same risen King now calls us to live in the light of His victory.

Because Easter is not merely a celebrated day to remember, but a truth to embrace—a living reality that shapes how we think, live, and believe. Because He lives, we are no longer bound by sin, defined by our past, or without hope for the future.

As we reflect on the empty tomb, we are reminded that we serve a Savior who keeps His promises. The One who rose from the grave has also promised to return (Acts 1:9–11).

Thus, we live as a people set apart—watching, waiting, and preparing our hearts as we anticipate the glorious appearing of our Lord and King. Especially in light of the unrest in the Middle East.

Jesus is coming, and very soon!

While reading Leviticus 20:26: “You shall be holy to Me, for I, the LORD, am holy, and have separated you from the peoples to be Mine,” I was reminded of our Lord’s command in Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Some challenge the idea of Christian holy living by pointing to examples of moral failure, while others excuse themselves by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”  Those who reject the call to holiness fail to realize that it is our eternal God and risen Savior who commands us—whether we choose to accept His authority or not.

When someone says, “I’m not a pedophile, a rapist, a murderer, or a drug dealer—so I’m not a bad person,”  it reveals a flawed way of thinking about sin. it usually suggests that somehow sin is measured on a “sliding scale,” and that “our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds.” But Scripture teaches that sin isn’t graded on a curve. Sin separates us from God, and no amount of good works can outweigh it.

It also leans on the false notion that our good deeds can somehow outweigh or cancel out our failures. But, this reasoning collapses in the face of Jesus Christ, our perfect and holy standard.

Our righteousness, compared to His, is utterly void—even on our best day. We have a sin problem that yields a sobering reality: apart from Christ, we face eternal separation from God.

Yet God, in His great love, has made a way. Through His Spirit, He draws us to humbly and sincerely seek the only remedy—grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.    (Ephesians 2:4–7)

His Spirit within us creates a growing desire for His mercy and sustaining power, enabling us to live for Christ daily. This new, Spirit-led life flows from genuine faith in Christ alone. It transforms us from the inside out and makes us acceptable to God despite our human weakness.

In His perfection, God also provides every spiritual resource we need to be conformed to the image of Christ. As the Apostle John reminds us, when we see Him in glory, “we shall be like Him.” (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2).

What an incredible privilege and responsibility we have. Not only do we bear the name of Christ as Christians, but we also reveal Him to others through our thoughts, words, and actions.

Jesus lives today—and His people can share His amazing love and righteousness  with the world!

As we prepare for Easter and look beyond, let us remember that we are called to be God’s holy people—set apart for Him and destined to share eternity in His presence. May we faithfully reflect the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to a world in need, as we watch, wait, and prepare for His promised return.

May this Easter also serve to renew our faith, strengthen our witness, and deepen our longing for the day when we will see Him face to face. Won’t you receive Him today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

An Eventful Week

For April 3, 2026
On Sunday, during the Triumphal Entry, crowds filled the streets of Jerusalem, heralding Jesus Christ as Messiah. (Matthew 21:9) By Monday, the Lord had cleansed the Temple of those accursed vendors. (Matthew 21:12) On Tuesday, He silenced disputes concerning His authority and taught openly about His Kingdom. (Matthew 21:23-27) Later, a woman—identified in John’s Gospel as Mary—anointed Him with costly oil. (John 12:3) In the midst of mounting tension, He quietly arranged for a furnished room to observe the Passover.

Now it was Thursday evening of Passover week and the Disciples longed for a break, a pause to celebrate God’s past deliverance. The Passover Seder was meant to be a joyful, familiar gathering in what would later be called the Upper Room. (Luke 22:12)

But from the outset, something was different….

After settling a dispute over Kingdom greatness (Luke 22:24-27), Jesus did the unthinkable—He washed their feet. (John 13:4-5) Then He then foretold their coming desertion, Peter’s denial (and restoration), and revealed that one among them would betray Him. (Matthew 26:31-35, Luke 22:31-34) Judas departs into the night. (John 13:30)

What should have been a peaceful observance was now a gathering heavy with tension. And then, something even more extraordinary happened. Instead of following the traditional Seder liturgy, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the Eleven, saying,

“Take, eat; this is My body.”
(Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22)

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and said,

“Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins… Do this in remembrance of Me.”     (Matthew 26:27-28, Luke 22:20

The familiar had become prophetic.

As they sang a hymn and followed Him toward the Mount of Olives, one can only imagine the questions racing through their minds: Why did He change the Seder? What did He mean—His body? His blood? Within hours, they would begin to understand.

What makes this moment even more profound is that Jesus was not walking blindly into suffering. He knew exactly what lay ahead—and Scripture had already foretold it.

Psalm 22 gives us a window into the suffering of the Messiah—a passage written almost a thousand years before His birth, yet vividly describing the crucifixion.

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
(Psalm 22:1)

These are the very words Jesus would cry from the cross. Psalm 22 continues with uncanny precision:

      • Mockery from onlookers, scorn from the crowd—“He trusts in the Lord; let Him rescue Him.” (Psalm 22:7-8)
      • His hands and feet are pierced. (Psalm 22:16)
      • His bones are exposed. (Psalm 22:17)
      • His garments are divided, and lots are cast. (Psalm 22:18)

This is not coincidence. This is divine revelation. Even before the cross, the suffering of Christ was written—so that when it came to pass, we would recognize the Savior. And yet, Psalm 22 does not end in despair. It rises to triumph:

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord.”
(Psalm 22:27)

The Suffering Servant shall become the Victorious King! What was Jesus thinking as He broke that bread and shared the cup?  Scripture gives us the answer:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly… But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”    (Romans 5:6–8).

From the first Adam came sin, corruption, and death. God created us for holiness and eternal fellowship, yet through disobedience, sin entered the world—and with it, separation from God.

We all bear that stain. Like a white garment ruined by a single stain, our righteousness is polluted by sin. No matter how good we appear, our best efforts fall short before a holy God. As Scripture says:

“All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”
(Isaiah 64:6)

What we could never accomplish, Christ fulfilled perfectly. He lived without sin. He went to the cross willingly. And through His sacrifice, He made a way to restore what was lost:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.   (John 3:16-17)

This is the glory of the Gospel. Jesus did not merely die for the worthy, the righteous, or the deserving. He died for the ungodly—for rebels, for sinners, for enemies of God. He died for all of us, and this is where the message becomes personal.

It is not difficult to imagine sacrificing for someone we love. But to lay down one’s life for those who reject, mock, or hate us—that is beyond human comprehension or instinct.

Yet this is what Christ did for each of us.

In a world increasingly marked by indifference to human dignity—where the unborn, the elderly, and the vulnerable are often discarded—His sacrifice stands in stark contrast. Humanity may assign value based on convenience or cost, but God has declared the worth of every life through the cross. We have reduced life to transactions. Christ redeemed it with His blood.

No longer are we bound by sin, Satan, and death. Through faith in Jesus Christ, His finished work becomes our righteousness. The cross is not merely an event—it is the dividing line of eternity.

And Psalm 22 reminds us: suffering was not the end of the story. Victory was always in the forefront and would be realized in just three days:

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.     (Hebrews 12:2)

Won’t you trust Christ today and experience His great love and forgiveness personally?

What a Wonderful Savior!

Hosanna In The Highest!

For March 29, 2026
Every year, Christians around the world remember a moment that and changed history forever—Palm Sunday.

It began in Jerusalem, a city already overflowing with pilgrims. The streets were crowded, the air electric with expectation, as travelers from around the world gathered to commemorate the Exodus—when God miraculously delivered His people from Egyptian bondage.

Enormous crowds had descended upon the city because this was one of the three designated times when all Jewish males were obligated to assemble before the Lord “in a place which the Lord shall choose” (Deuteronomy 16:16).

Then it happened.

On Sunday, while people were preparing for the Passover, there was widespread commotion. The level of excitement and anticipation grew as the commotion became an audible chant, which then accelerated into a deafening roar:

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!” (Matthew 21:9).

It was apparent that royalty had come to town.

Today, chauffeured limousines with identifying insignia provide ground transportation for nobility. Two thousand years ago, conquering rulers rode horses to symbolize their power and dominance over their vanquished subjects. Inexplicably, humbly, and meekly, our Lord rode on a colt—the foal of a donkey—and thereby fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass!”

On His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, our Lord chose a mode of transportation that would present Him as the “Prince of Peace,” also depicted in Isaiah 9:6. As a result, throngs of people covered the road with clothes or palm branches, while swelling crowds cheered and waved palm branches in celebration (Matthew 21:8).

Jesus Christ had arrived in His earthly splendor, and “the whole world had gone after Him!” (John 12:19).

It is remarkable that our eternal and holy God chose to occupy human flesh as Jesus Christ. Even more astounding is that although He was Creator and Sustainer, He used this humble form of transportation on the first day of what would become the last and most important week of His earthly life.

He could have chosen something more suitable to His station as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (In other words, why did He fly “standby” when He had a first-class ticket?)

But on second thought, the Lord’s choice is not so surprising given His earlier teachings:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light!” (Matthew 11:28–30)

Truly, our Lord established a new paradigm featuring genuine humility, unrivaled meekness, and matchless love. He had every right to be the Conquering King, but He chose to be the Humble Servant instead.

And although death awaited Him, He subjected Himself to insulting, demeaning, and humiliating crowds because He loves us more than we could ever conceive.

The King Is Coming Again

Palm Sunday was not only the arrival of a King—it was also a preview of something far greater yet to come.

The first time Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem, He came in humility, riding on a donkey as the suffering servant. He came to bear the sins of the world and offer salvation to all who would believe.

But Scripture promises that this will not be His final entrance. One day the King will return again—not in quiet humility, but in unmistakable glory. The One who once rode into Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace will return as the righteous King and Judge of all the earth.

What Palm Sunday foreshadowed, the future will fully reveal. The question is not if the King will come again. The question is whether we are ready to receive Him.

More than two thousand years ago, travelers from distant lands came searching for the Messiah. The Gospel tells us that wise men once followed a star until they found Him. And the truth still remains.

Wise men and women still seek Him today

      • We seek Him in the Scriptures.
      • We seek Him in prayer.
      • We seek Him by faith.

Those who seek Him will discover that the King who once entered Jerusalem is still approachable, still merciful, and still calling people to Himself.

Palm branches may no longer line the roads of Jerusalem, but the invitation remains open. The King who came once is coming again. And when He comes, there will be no mistaking it. Every crown will fall before Him. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

So the question Palm Sunday leaves with us is simple:

Will we greet Him as our Savior today—or wait until we must face Him as our King tomorrow?

Wise men and women seek and follow Him. Because the greatest decision any of us will ever make is whether we will welcome the King before the King returns. Won’t you surrender to the King today and allow Him to change your life forever? Jesus is coming, and He is still approachable and accessible to us today by faith.

What a Wonderful Savior!

Jesus Rose For Our Justification

For April 20, 2025
Like any other Sunday morning in Jerusalem, the Roman soldiers, stationed at Joseph’s tomb, prepared for what seemed to be an ordinary day. But this day would not be ordinary.

The women, heartbroken and grieving, came to the tomb to embalm the body of their Savior. The tomb was sealed, guarded by Roman soldiers ready to defend it with their lives.

Yet, as they approached, the earth trembled with a mighty earthquake, and the stone that sealed the tomb was rolled away, by a supernatural power. An angel, shining brighter than lightning and clothed in white as snow, appeared, and the soldiers, fell to the ground as if they were dead.

When the angel spoke, his words echoed with hope and promise that still reverberate around the world today,

Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now I have told you.    Matthew 28:57 (NLT)

This is the moment that changed everything.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is not just a historical event—it is the power of God unleashed on the world, offering forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe. Skeptics may try to explain it away; they may claim the disciples stole the body, or that the women went to the wrong tomb, or that the witnesses were hallucinating. But after two thousand years, no one has ever disproven the testimony of those who witnessed the risen Christ.

The fact is that Jesus rose from the dead, and He is alive today. He is alive to offer salvation to you, to transform your life, and to give you hope beyond this world as this hymn reminds us today,

He Lives
Alfred H. Ackley1

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care, And tho my heart grows weary, I never will despair; I know that He is leading thro all the stormy blast, The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, Rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find, None other is so living, so good and kind.

Chorus:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me A-long life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Because of His resurrection, we know that:

    • Jesus is the Son of God, victorious over death and the grave. Sin and the grave have been defeated, and we, too, have new life in Him.
    • God’s perfect sacrifice was accepted. We now have reconciliation with God through Christ as we repent and put our faith in Him.
    • His Holy Spirit lives in us, guiding and transforming us.

Christ has risen is a message that has been passed down for two thousand years, a message that has changed countless lives, and a message that can change yours too. If you’ve never made the decision to place your faith in the risen Savior, perhaps now is the time to do so.

The resurrection isn’t just an ancient story—it’s a message of hope for all today. Jesus died for our sins, and He rose again to give us eternal life! Without Jesus, there is no hope for eternal life, now is the time to call on His name. The Bible promises that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Don’t wait. Don’t let another day pass without receiving the forgiveness and life that Jesus offers.

Christ the Lord is risen today! He is alive, and He offers us the chance to live with Him forever. Won’t you accept His invitation today? Just believe in Him and be saved.

Christ the Lord is risen today … Yes! He is risen, indeed!

What a Wonderful Savior!

 

Jesus Christ Died For Our Sins

For April 18, 2025
It was early Friday morning of Passover Week, and Jesus had not slept. Over the last few hours, He had transformed the Passover Seder into a commemorative Lord’s Supper, leaving behind a lasting institution that would continue throughout the ages.

Then, while in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas betrayed Him into the hands of corrupt religious leaders for a mere thirty pieces of silver. Unjustly condemned, He was hastily brought before Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Pilate once again and sentenced to death.

Yet before the final verdict, He endured horrendous suffering at the hands of Roman soldiers who beat Him mercilessly and crucified Him on Calvary. Was Jesus a mere innocent victim, or was something far more profound taking place?

In Ezekiel 18:4, God tells us that every soul belongs to Him and that the penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 repeats this truth, “The wages of sin is death.” To remedy sin’s curse, God established blood sacrifices to atone for human sin. (Leviticus 17:11).

As the Son of Man, Jesus knew that His death was part of God’s divine plan for our redemption as He foretold,

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:14-16 (NIV)

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, willingly chose to pay the price for your sins, past, present, and future, with His own precious blood. Although He had the power to forego the cross, He chose to embrace it for our benefit instead. Despite the brutal beatings, the mockery, and the crown of thorns, He continued to walk the path of suffering because of His great love for us,

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.      Romans 5:8 (NIV)

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.       1 John 4:10 (NIV)

Christ He chose to give His life, becoming the Perfect Intercessor between a holy God and sinful humanity, and He did this for us all of us.

Jesus knew that our sins stood between us and God. He took our place on the cross, bearing the wrath of God that we deserve. He did this so we could be forgiven, so we could have eternal life and peace with God.  His love is immeasurable, and His grace transforms lives yet today.

If you have not yet accepted the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers, today is the day you can make that decision. Jesus died not just for the world but for you personally. Through His sacrifice, He offers forgiveness for your sins. All you have to do is believe in Him, ask Him for forgiveness, and invite Him into your life as your Savior and Lord,

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 
Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, gave His life so that we could live forever with Him. He did not come to condemn us, but to save us. We don’t have to carry the weight of sin any longer. He paid the price in full. Won’t you accept His free gift today?

Yes! Jesus, our Lord and Savior, chose to be the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world so that we could experience His abiding joy, peace, and great salvation today.

What a Wonderful Savior!

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