Pilgrim Reflections

The greatest miracle of all

Easter.

For some people, the mere mention of the word conjures up frilly dresses and bonnets, chocolate bunnies and hunting for brightly-colored eggs. It also somewhat marks the advent of spring �” budding trees, blooming flowers, planting gardens, mowing the grass.

But, for those of the Christian faith, it stands for the greatest miracle of all: the day Jesus rose from the dead.

Now, for sure, there are those who laugh at such a notion; they say it’s impossible for a dead person to come back to the life. Most every religion believes in some type of afterlife, but only Christianity says its founder died, was buried and rose again.

Thus, it goes without saying that the Easter message is a pretty audacious one.

Think about it:

Someone who’d been severely beaten, almost beyond recognition; nailed to a rough-hewn wooden cross; breathing his last breath by 3 in the afternoon; his lifeless body laid in a borrowed tomb; the grave sealed by the powers that be and guards posted outside.

But, three days later, early in the morning, the stone rolled away and out stepped the one they had placed in there �” nail-scars, pierced side and all �” as alive as we are, smiling and waving toward heaven as he said, “Good morning, Father.”

I’d say that’s a pretty unbelievable, audacious claim.

Or, the “greatest miracle of all.”

When I first heard that story over 50 years ago in a little country church in central Arkansas, I was fascinated by it. To think: Someone was killed and then came back to life again.

It sounded like some sort of fairy tale �” until it came “alive” when the one it’s about (Jesus) took up residence in my heart.

Intellectually, I couldn’t comprehend it. Theologically, it was beyond me. But, I know this: When I asked him to come into my heart that night at the tender age of 7, “something” happened.

And, it’s still happening.

I never got over it that night when Jesus, the risen one, became my savior and lord. No one had ever loved me like him�”before or since. In a mysterious way that no one can understand or adequately describe, grace moved in and guilt moved out. Faith took over and kicked fear out the door.

Oh sure, these former tenets still come knocking. And, too often, I’ve allowed them to move back in to torment me once again. But, then I remember whose I am and the one who lives within my heart, and I pray, “Lord, would you help me?” and he says, “I’ll be glad to!”�”and out the door they go! Glory!

Dear Reader, Easter is the story of new beginnings (II Corinthians 5:17). Its message is for every generation and location. If God could make wheat seed hidden in a pyramid sprout and grow after 3,000 years, he can take any of us and give us new life, purpose and meaning�”if we’ll simply place our trust in him (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10, 13).

I do hope you’ll have a wonderful Easter and experience firsthand what it’s all about (I Corinthians 15:12-58). God bless you!

NOTE: If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily e-mail devotional, “Morning Manna,” write him at P.O. Box 582, Coushatta, LA 71019 or e-mail pressingon@hotmail.com.

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