A Winsome Word (April 2025)

Pastor Win Green

Hi Everyone!

Easter is soon upon us (April 20th). It is the holiest celebration of the year. So why is Easter so important?

At funerals it's common to hear, "They're in a better place." That's quite a claim, and just what is the proof? How can we be so confident that our last breath on Earth is our first breath in heaven? Well, Jesus is the one person who returned from the dead, and upon His return, what did He say? "Do not be afraid." Jesus returned from the dead to reassure us that there is nothing to fear for those who trust God's mercy. Jesus tells us over and over that God can be trusted, not only in this life, but also in the next. Again and again, Jesus repeats that God gives to anyone who trusts Him far better than what they deserve. And after dying Himself, Jesus returned to reassure us that there is nothing to fear.

As I get older and my own death approaches, Jesus' message that God gives better than deserved becomes increasingly reassuring. I mean, I've thought, felt, and done many, many things that disqualify me. I have done things without so much as a glancing thought to God's will. I've been selfish, pig headed, and "me first." If heaven is all about "doing good," I'll come up short. But the message of Easter is one of surprise... Even those who deserve hell itself can rejoice in heaven.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate that the end of life need not be the grave... that darkness and gloom are not our final destiny. Instead, at any funeral we can, with confidence, say, "They're in a better place." Yes, we will indeed be in a better place - not because we were so good and deserving, but because God is so gracious. Not because we lived a life of scrupulous moral rectitude, but because at the cross Jesus made a grand bargain... to exchange our sins for His righteousness. So, Easter is the occasion when we celebrate the unfairness of God... that God gives to anyone and everyone who is willing to accept it - better than what is deserved. That is good news indeed, and why Easter is the Holiest day of the year. See you April 20th.

Pastor Win Green