Thoughts toward Easter

Is it time for another week already? I’ll tell you, last week was a blur of activity. We had over 70 missionaries and pastors from literally all over the world at a missions training seminar led by our own Lynn "Missionary Rider" Raburn. Seminars during the day, worship services each night, plus I took Tuesday night off to celebrate our oldest daughter’s 20th birthday. This week will still be busy as the seminar continues, but this week we only have the day sessions.

Here is my goal for the week. I want to do my best to make sure all the t’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted for the seminar, that’s what I do. But in the face of this week, I don’t want to get too busy to notice.

You see, this coming Sunday marks the very most important event in the history of mankind. Jesus, the Messiah, who had been humiliated in a kangaroo court, tortured at the hands of ruthless Roman soldiers, crucified at the insistence of the very people He had come to serve, and who had died and been laid in a borrowed tomb…ROSE AGAIN!

You see, throughout history men have died for others. As the PGR we honor those who have laid their lives down for their country and their fellow citizens. But none of these heroes had the power that Jesus did, to take back up His own life. You see, he was no ordinary hero, He has power over death and hell, heaven and earth and on the third day He rose again victorious.

I’ve always wondered why the symbol for Christianity was the cross. Yes, a truly important part of the story, but there were two others that died on crosses in Jerusalem that day. There has only been one who came out of a tomb, once dead, but alive again by His own power. I think a more fitting symbol would be the stone that was rolled away, not so He could get out, but so we could see in!

I’ll have much more to say about Easter and its celebration in the coming days. But remember this, it’s perfectly fine to go buy the Easter baskets and chocolate bunnies, and dye eggs with the kids. That’s part of the tradition of Easter, but don’t let it overshadow the true reason for Easter. Have a great week, maybe this rain will stop someday and we can all ride again!!!

Your Chaplain,

Hulk