John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” 

On Wed April 17^th, 2019, Scotland woman Lesley Rowan reported to have seen Jesus in the fire.  That picture of the Notre Dame fire that began Mon April 15 and ended Tues April 16 spread across tabloids.

Did you see Jesus in the fire? (Dan 3:25, Ex 3:2)

Whether or not you did sister one thing is certain Notre Dame (meaning Our Lady of Paris) a most famous gothic landmark of France built in 1163 on the Ile de la Cite, Seine was almost destroyed.  This cathedral, consecrated to the Virgin Mary and home to many original Christian and Catholic historical relics including Jesus’ actual Crown of Thorns was ablaze for a couple of days.  Though it caught fire believably ignited by a computer glitch, it is set to undergo renovations for tenable restoration again.  Many people, including kings and even Napoleon Bonaparte also renovated Notre Dame after crowning himself emperor there in 1804.  Though greatly consumed Notre Dame was not completely devoured to the ground, to both the uplifting joy and faith of many believers particularly during the Holy Week.

Similarly, Jesus’ body was also not completely destroyed.  His temple was rebuilt-and not by human hands. Then He Arose in three days and lives again for eternity (1 Cor 15:4)

Hallelujah He Arose! The day Christ broke us free the chains of slavery to rise in unprecedented victory we worship as Resurrection Sunday.  (Is 25:8) This is the grand finale of The Holy Week which consists of about seven days commencing from Palm Sunday (when Jesus rode on a donkey while being praised “Hosanna”) to its conclusion on Black Saturday (Jesus lay in his tomb after death).  Due to the traditions of the Sabbath (which is Saturday the last day of the week), preparations for Jesus proper burial had not been performed.  So the next day, Sunday, which was the first day of the week Mary Magdelene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James and other women came back with their spices for Jesus’ body only to discover he was not there.(Mk 16:5-7)

Amen! He Arose!  They did not see Jesus in the tomb.  Nor did death consume Christ in hell. (Acts 2:31) Sorry, Satan thought you had him huh?

HE AROSE! This is the very centroidal hope for Christians today.  The fact that Jesus Christ the Savior of all sinners-Us, did not die but rose to live again and reign eternally over Life and Death is our existence!  He overcame Death, a very disgraceful death on a cross.  Why?  To once and for all nail our sins to that scornful architecture that was separating us from God.  That object of shame became the subject of our glorification. The sacrifice of Christ’s very life to the obedience of the only one and true Father God is our essence.  Without the Son, taking his last breath on the cross, we would not have breath today.  No. Imagine a life dead in our transgressions, without hope, without God it is unimaginable for us.(Eph 1:18-21) And we are grateful that is not the case.

He..Arose. John 3:16 For God so Loved the World.  To really understand the fullness you simply look at the life and the love exemplified by Jesus.  To really get it commands us to fall on our knees and Praise the Lord.  Not out of rhetoric but out of righteousness!  The Lamb of God humbly obeyed the Plan of God so that those who also would trust, follow and obey Him and His word would be saved, made right and freed Forever.

Concern(C): Sister, can you see Jesus- not just in the fire, but on the donkey, in the garden, on the cross, in your home, in your workplace, in Paradise and in you?

Encouragement(E): Romans 8:11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Act(A):  Don’t.  Sister, don’t act.  Do not act like a Christian just because it is Resurrection Sunday. Don’t go dressing the part on the outside without addressing the significance of the Savior’s part on the inside. Jesus gave us life through that same raising power from God.  He lives in you!

And since you read to the end …

Bonus Fact:  Let us not call it Easter Sunday, sister.  This term dates back to the pre-Christian England goddess Eostre who was celebrated at the beginning of spring.  Christ is to be boldly celebrated always. Act like you know the truth- for that Truth is the Way and the Life. The truth is the life is way better. (John 14:6)