Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

                                           Resurrection Sunday
        Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!
        This has surely been an Easter like none other for many of us. Yet, praise God corona virus, quarantine, and social distancing cannot change the astounding, destiny-altering reality that Jesus is alive. And because Jesus lives, sin and death have been defeated. And because Jesus lives, our loved ones who have died in Christ, live.  And because Jesus lives, we will live. And because Jesus lives, we have no reason or cause ever to despair.  And because Jesus lives, even if corona virus does it's very worst and kills us or those we love physically, we still win...and live.
         Countless words have already been said about this most glorious event in history, so there's not much I can add, save, thank You, thank You, thank You, Lord and praise You, praise You, praise You, Jesus!
          I recently heard David Jeremiah point out that the world gives promises that are ultimately full of emptiness; but Christ and His resurrection gives us emptiness that is full of promises.  Surely corona has revealed the emptiness of the world's promises: health, prosperity, job, busyness, popularity--none of these give us lasting peace and happiness.  They can all crumble with a mere invisible virus that can destroy livelihoods, health, and even life itself.  The world's promises are empty.
         But the God gives emptiness that is full of glorious hope and brings us His unchanging, wonderful promises. The cross is empty. The grave clothes are empty. The tomb is empty. And Jesus is alive and every promise in God's Word is "Yes!" in Him. Yes to peace. Yes to hope. Yes to joy. Yes to forgiveness. Yes to grace. Yes to eternal, abundant life. Yes to heaven. 
           And so this day, might we simply worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He has conquered sin and death, risen from the grave to glorious resurrection life, reigns on high forever, and lives with us and in us through His Holy Spirit, and prepares a perfect place for us in heaven.
          "'Why are you looking for the living among the dead?' asked the men. 'He is not here, but He has risen!'" (Luke 24:5-6)
            Praise You Lord that we need no longer look for the living among the dead. You are alive. Our loved ones who have died in You are alive.  And when we draw our last breath on this earth, we will truly live.  We might still live in the land of the dying, but we are headed for the land of the living, so help us to live this day and everyday with gazes locked on You, with great hope and joy in our hearts, and with glorious eternity in view. 
              Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! To God be the glory.