Dear brothers and sisters in Christ! I want to greet you on this great holiday and wish you all Happy Easter! Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!
At that unforgettable Easter morning, while the body of Jesus was buried, angel told the women the following words: “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (Matt 28:5-7)
After seeing the angel by the tomb, the women were filled with fear. Fear is what many people today are experiencing, especially since they do not have the hope and confidence for what is happening today and about the future. The resurrection of Christ gives us the confidence in the victory of life over death!
The angel invited the women to see the place where the body of Jesus was lying…The tomb was empty. There is no point in worshipping the place where His body was because He is not there!
How are we to explain the reality of the empty grave? He has risen! Jesus is alive and is waiting for His disciples in Galilee. It is possible to reunite with the risen Christ. All what they needed to do was to obey and go to Galilee. They will be able to see Him there. The disciples took advantage of this opportunity and were able to find Him there. Our faith is built on the testimony of the apostles and those who saw the risen Lord, as they are described by Apostle Paul – “After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep…” (1 Cor. 15:6)
May the reality of the risen Christ cast out any doubt and lack of faith of many! Through His resurrection, Christ has proven His Divinity, His power to forgive sins, and to give an everlasting life to those who come to Him. He is the foundation of our salvation! He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end! May we worship Him and praise Him as the one who conquered hell and death!
May the commission that was given to the women be our missionary priority as well: to go and bring the good news of the risen Christ to many others who need salvation and to be freed from eternal death.
Christ has Risen! Christ has risen indeed!
President of PCSBA, Ivan Mileyev
