April 2010

“Is He Alive?”

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”  (I Peter 3:15).

We spent the great Festival of Easter proclaiming that He is alive!  The numbers of people that gather in churches on Easter Sunday is a great witness to the truth that Christ is risen.  Even if folks come to church once a year on Easter Sunday, it still says something of the importance of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  It makes a difference that He is alive.

Is He alive?  That is an Easter question to live by.  Once the big day has passed for another year, once we are done proclaiming “He is alive!” along with our “Alleluias,” we need to be asking, “Is He alive?”  Is He alive in my life?  Is He alive in my decisions?  Is He alive in my concerns, in my relationships, in my actions?  The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:13).  If Christ is alive, shouldn’t God be glorified in everything that is done?

Peter said: “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.”  We can do that because He is alive.  Christ is risen as our Savior, Lord, and Redeemer.  Through God’s Word and Sacraments the Spirit of the Living Lord has come into our lives.  He is alive and has re-created us to be a people of hope through His gift of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  Are you ready to give the reason for that hope to everyone who asks you?  Can others find reason to ask you in the first place?

Is He alive?  It is a good question to be asking ourselves especially during this Easter season.  Of course, we know the answer.  It is a resounding “Yes!”  Let that “Yes!” be reflected in our lives so that others wonder about the hope that we have.  Let that “Yes!” be reflected in commitment to worship, service, spiritual growth, and mission of our congregation… in whatever we do.  Let that “Yes!” be reflected in times of challenge and difficulty and in times of plenty and celebration.

Is He alive?  Yes, we know it.  Let us then show it!

Pastor John

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