Pastor's Corner by Pastor Larry Tong
March 2008
Easter comes a little early this year. Most of the time, Easter falls in the month of April, but this year, it falls on March 23. This early date doesn’t happen again until 2016. Just like Christmas, we celebrate Easter every year, yet as time passes, we often have forgotten the significance of this very important date. Christianity circles around the core issue of the Person of Jesus Christ. It is important for Christ’s followers (Christians) to know who Jesus was as a historical figure, and who He is at present. The Almighty God stepped foot on planet earth, which He created, two thousand years ago. He taught about the Heavenly Kingdom so that we may know how to live in this temporal world. He lived to die so that we may live. Finally, He was raised from the dead so that we too may have eternal life.
Easter is the day that we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. After His resurrection, Jesus ministered to His followers for forty days before He returned home to His heavenly throne. There, He reclaimed His position which He temporarily gave up when He became flesh. At present, He continues to minister to His followers by being their advocate or bridge that connects them to God the Father. Jesus intercedes on our behalves! Jesus is at where He is today because He rose from the dead.
Easter is a significant day. It is significant for Jesus because it proves that He claims final victory over death and sin. The tomb that housed Jesus’ body couldn’t contain Him; the linen that wrapped Jesus’ body couldn’t confine Him. Three days after His death, He rose from the dead. What wonderful News it was to the disciples then and to us now. The bodily resurrection of Jesus was the greatest miracle of all. No wonder the Apostle Paul exclaimed, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The horror of death that is caused by Sin had been completely swallowed up by Jesus’ Resurrection.
Easter is significant to us as believers. It gives us hope. A hope for a better future where there are no more infestation and effect of Sin. We are sojourners in this world. One day we will have to leave everything that belongs to this world behind and step into eternity. When we have hope for a better future, it would help us to face today’s challenges, so we wouldn’t buckle under pressure. Easter gives us strength. Let’s face it, life isn’t easy. We are constantly being bombarded with the daily grind. But with the New Life that comes through in Jesus’ Resurrection, we have new strength to sustain. Easter gives us direction. Since we know where we are going, we now have a direction in life. Without a direction, we may be spinning our wheel without going anywhere. Easter reminds us that we are going “Home” to be with the God who created and loves us. He left us on earth for a mission—to live out a life that others may yearn what we have—hope, strength and direction in life.
Before I sign off, it is my prayer that all of you come to know the Resurrected Jesus as your Personal Savior. The Bible says, “Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” What a blessing it is to become a child of God!
Pastor Larry
