24th April 2025

The Cost of Easter

He was delivered up because of our offences . . .

Romans 4:25

Today's Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.

Christmas and Easter celebrate the two most important events in human history: the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, and His death and resurrection from the dead. Both remind us of God’s love for us, and both remind us also of what it cost the Lord to save us from our sins. 

For some, Easter is bereft of all but the secular meaning. For them, Easter is a time to dye eggs, hide them, and send children in search of them. It’s a time to recite the myth of the Easter bunny. It’s a time of giving sweets, and feasting around the family table. For others, It’s a day to mark the start of spring and celebrate the rejuvenation of nature and the greening of the grass. Such observances of Easter, if they go no further than this, are a faint and feeble shadow of the real meaning of Easter; they are as empty as a plastic egg, as hollow as a chocolate Easter egg/bunny.

Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Two thousand years ago, a man died on a cross, was buried, and three days later rose to life again. This fact—that a dead man came to life again and lives evermore—is why we celebrate Easter. The meaning of Easter is that the Son of God paid the price for our sins and rose again to reconcile us to God, In Romans 4:25, the Bible says: He was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised because of our justification.

Prayer: Dear Lord God, You are the author and creator of life. Thank You for Your Son. I thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving the promise of eternal life through Your death on the cross, resurrection from the grave, and ascension into Heaven. Let me remember that the cost of my sins has already been paid through the cross. Remind me today and always that no works that I do, or sacrifice that I make, can ever come close to repayment for what You have already done. You are my salvation, and I praise You. Amen.

23nd April 2025

He Reigns Forever

. . . He will reign for ever and ever.

Revelations 11:15

Today's Bible Reading: Revelations 11:15-19.

The Lord Jesus taught His disciples a very important truth — and one we need to take very seriously. The truth is this: Some day, all evil will be destroyed, and God, not Satan, will be victorious. God alone is sovereign, and even when it looks like Satan is winning (as it did when God's Son, Jesus was put to death), his “victory” is only temporary.

Yes, some day the final battle will be fought between good and evil… between God and Satan… between the powers of light and the powers of darkness. And God will be the victor in that battle, and Christ will come again to establish His Kingdom of perfect justice and love. Some day, the Bible says, the angelic voices will proclaim that “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, we can have hope; hope for this world, and hope for eternity. Why? Because of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us through His death and resurrection. Is your hope in Him? If not, turn to Him in repentance and faith today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, thank You that all is well because You are on Your throne, and You reign forever, and forever. Amen.

22nd April 2025

Easter, The Season of Gladness

Thanks be to God,

who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

Today's Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:55–58.

Easter is a time of great gladness for those who know Christ. But for those who are without “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory” (2 Corinthians 4:6), there is nothing to rejoice over.

The risen Jesus left us with the great hope and certainty that He is going to return to bring a new Heaven and a new earth where, we are told, there will be no more sorrow, trouble, or death for those who have believed and followed Him. There will be trouble, sorrow, and suffering for those who have neglected or rejected Him.

For those of us who are Christians, our great task is to obey the command to tell the whole world about Christ crucified, buried, yet risen again. My prayer for you during this time of the year, when we think of our Saviour’s great sacrifice for us on the cross, is that you will be filled with great peace and hope, because “He is risen!” That is the Good News, and the Good News we Christians have to share. Do not keep it to yourself, give it away, share it with someone today.

Prayer: My Great and Wonderful God, Help me to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that my work for You is never in vain. In the name of Your Son, I pray. Amen.