He has risen
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
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He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:5b)
Read Luke 23:56b–24:12
I love my wife. I told her this when I proposed to her, and then again at our wedding, and most likely on every anniversary we’ve celebrated since (the ones I’ve remembered, anyhow). And I’d tell her if I changed my mind. Why would she – or any wife and husband or any person, for that matter – need to be told repeatedly that they’re loved?
We know God loves us. He told us this. It’s in the Bible. We hear about that love every Easter as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. So, why repeat it? It can become a bit monotonous when you hear the same thing over and over.
I don’t know about you, but I need to hear that I’m loved and special – especially when I have some real struggles in my life, am grieving, have concerns about my family, am tempted and find it hard to get along with others.
I need to hear I’m not alone in my struggles and that, each day, I’m offered help and strength. I need to be reminded that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and because of his love and commitment, my mourning and sadness can be comforted, and I have all I need to face the future with confidence.
That’s what the Easter gospel is all about. It’s God saying, ‘I’ve raised my Son to life so that you can have a living Saviour to be with you and for you and in you and give you all you need to face whatever it is that’s difficult and challenging in your life’.
We have a God who loves and doesn’t stop loving – a God who has loved us so much that he was prepared to send his one and only Son to die so that we could have life.
And not just to have eternal life but a full and rich life here and now with purpose and a sure and solid foundation. When things go wrong (and they do), life gets tough (and it does), and we fail and experience disappointments and get knocked down, we have someone to pick us up, comfort and strengthen us, and set us on the right path again.
Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding me that I am loved. Thank you for being prepared to go to the cross to show that love. Thank you that you rose from the grave to assure me that, in all my struggles, I have your living presence to give me confidence and strength to face the future. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He served in parishes in South Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s New South Wales District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
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