In my relatively short life span (58 years), I have heard or read many amazing proclamations. I suppose the older you become the more chances you have of living through some pretty incredible times and hearing some rather remarkable things.

“A Cure for Polio!” was the headline proclamation, which soothed the hearts and minds of millions of parents who lived in the specter of the dreaded, crippling disease. I remember going with my siblings to get the miraculous vaccination at a local school.

“The President Has Been Shot!” reverberated in the hallways of my high school on November 22, 1963, as we learned of the assassination of our 35th President. It was beyond the scope of our imagination that a U.S. President was so vulnerable and could be vanquished by an assassin’s projectile. It was literally an unbelievable proclamation that was verified as we were given time off from school to watched the funeral processional.

“We Landed on the Moon!” On July 20, 1969, the human race accomplished its single greatest technological achievement when Neil A. Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when he set foot on another celestial body, commonly referred to as the moon. It was a surreal experience to watch the signal being sent home by the lunar module.

“The War is Over!” was the resounding cry across the college campuses of America when the last U.S. troops left the soil of Vietnam on April 30, 1975. A conflict, which cost thousands of lives and millions of dollars, came to an end. Mothers would no longer lose sons and wives would once again see their husbands. It was a proclamation of peace for two countries torn by the ravages of a war that nobody wanted.
“USC Wins Two Consecutive National Championships!” Well, not all of the proclamations I’ve seen or heard are that important.

Looking back over my life, I have been blessed to experience some incredible happenings. But there was one proclamation that outstripped them all.

On the first Easter morn, an angel of the Lord proclaimed, “He is not here, for He has risen…” (Matthew 28:6a). I may not have been alive when it happened, but every time the uninitiated hears that proclamation it is as though it happened all over again since it has stood the test of time.

Polio has never been totally eradicated. John F. Kennedy remained dead. We have now set our sights on surmounting planets and not just the moon. We are currently experiencing déjà vu in Iraq. And USC lost to Texas.

As incredible as the proclamations were, they all had a temporary, non-permanent quality. They were great at the time, but do they have the same value today.

On the other hand, the fact is that “He is Risen!” has the same value as it did when the angel uttered it over 2,000 years ago. And because He lives, we can have forgiveness of sin and the reality of eternal life with God the Father.

Here’s a simpler proclamation for you: Happy Easter!

Please join us at our
Good Friday service at the Campus Inn at 8 pm on Fri, April 14.
Easter Celebration on Sat, April 15 in the upper quad area.
Easter services are at 6 am, 8 am & 11 am.

Blessings,

Pastor Cory, d.v.
d.v., deo volente: God willing