MARCH NEWSLETTER

"Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was   crucified. He is not here, he has risen." - Mark 16: 6

Do not be amazed? This is the most amazing news of all time. Jesus, who was dead; is risen   from the dead. What can be more amazing than that? This is the greatest news the world has   ever heard. It defies logic. It defies explanation. "HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS RISEN!"   This  is the news of Easter. It changes the world and everybody in it. It is truly amazing.

It certainly changed the lives of Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and   Salome. On that first Easter morning they came to the tomb to honor their dead friend. On   that morning, they were sad and filled with despair. Jesus had been their teacher and master.   He had been the one promising forgiveness and life. When he had died, their hope had died   as well. Then came Easter, and that wonderful proclamation, "HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS   RISEN!". Suddenly, their wholes lives changed. Gone was the sorrow of Good Friday,    replaced with the joy of the resurrection. Gone also was their despair, replaced with the   hope   of the resurrection. Easter showed that all of Christ's promises were true.

"HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS RISEN!" This amazing news is not just about Jesus. It's   about  us. Easter shows us that there is life after death. In deed, the words of Paul ring out   on    Easter. "Though we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be   united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6: 5) This news of Easter changes our   view of death, by showing us life. No longer can we look at a grave, or attend a funeral;   without hearing those words. "HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS RISEN!"

I remember when I heard the news that my father had died. It was on Palm Sunday. As I   was  traveling home, I was filled with sorrow and regret. The next day, we viewed the body;   and I couldn't take it. I went into the waiting room, where they had a Bible. I opened the   Bible, and there was those words. "HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS RISEN!" I thought to   myself, "That's right. My dad is not here, he has risen. He has been united with Christ in the   resurrection." The Easter message brought hope and comfort to me on that day, and it will   continue to be my hope and my comfort throughout my life.

"HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS RISEN!" This is truly amazing news.

Your friend in Christ,

Pastor Ron