Alleluia. Christ is risen
Today is the greatest day in the Christian calendar, without today there would be no hope, not even after the events of Good Friday. Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
If Jesus had just died on the cross for us that would have been tremendous but for all the forgiveness it would have brought, it wouldn’t have changed the end result, death would still have had the final say over us. That isn’t so, because our Lord conquered our last enemy, death itself and holds out to us eternal life with God our Father where we will be safe for all eternity. We have this now through Christ, it’s not something we have to earn, for we never could!
Jesus predicted His death and also His resurrection, Matthew says
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Matthew 16:21 NIV
This was a critical point in Jesus’ ministry, instead of teaching the crowds, He prepares His disciples for the events that were to follow. Even when the truth was staring them straight in the face, even after all the miracles they had witness, they just didn’t get it. They didn’t understand. Even after the resurrection, the penny still hadn’t dropped as quickly as you would have expected. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples said “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” We can all be like Thomas, but if we have faith, even faith the size of a mustard seed and believe that Jesus did die for our sins and is now alive, we too can be like Thomas and enjoy the pleasure of knowing Jesus Christ personally. Jesus said to Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Has the penny dropped for you?
Bible verse for today
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:24 - 31
Bible verses for Easter Sunday
Matthew 28
Mark 16:1 - 8
Acts 10.34 – 43
1 Corinthians 15:1 - 3
1 Peter 4:1 – 11
Services For Easter Sunday, 23rd March
We warmly invite you to join us this Easter and pray that God removes any barriers or anxieties that you may have joining us for the first time.
6.00 am Dawn Holy Communion Service, The Three Sister
9.00 am Holy Communion Service, St Thomas's
10.45 am Family Holy Communion Service, St Thomas's
6.30 pm Holy Communion Service, St Thomas's
Want to know more about Jesus and the Christian Faith?
Each Thursday evening from the 10th of April 2008 at 7:30pm, we will be holding an Alpha course in church at St Thomas's. Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a Saturday away day. For more information about Alpha, visit their website.
To find out more about St Thomas's Church or St Luke's Church, visit our website