Easter is upon us and this spring seems to be here as well. It is great to be getting back to warmer weather and to see the new life that is coming up in the gardens all around. Easter is all about new life. Just as the natural world proclaims new life after the cold and sometimes dreariness of winter, so Easter points us to the new life that Christ has prepared for us since the foundation of the world. Back at the beginning of time God created life so that we could all enjoy and celebrate creation with him. As human beings, we messed up and disobeyed God when we decided that we could make the judgements about what is good and evil in the world. God told us that we couldn't do this, but we decided differently and things fell apart from there. We were driven out of the "garden of Eden" both physically and spiritually as a result. God put an angel at the entrance of the Garden so that we would not be tempted to try and go back and eat of the other forbidden tree, the tree of eternal life. God did not want us to get stuck in the present world forever. He was already making plans for our redemption. God wants us to have life in all fullness and so he began the redemption process. Like spring, it takes time to produce the new flowers and beauty of the world. He first give us some directions as to how to live. The "Law" or 10 commandments help us to know the best way to live in community together. It is always up to us if we want to listen or to continue to do our own thing. Currently many in the world are doing their own thing and then they wonder why things go wrong. Go figure! He has tried to warn us through the prophets and has given us "the great book" (the bible) to help us learn, but still we are slow to get it. Then he sent Jesus, his own son to tell us all that we need to know. But Jesus did more than tell us. He also provided the way for us to get into heaven. By accepting his word and actions on our behalf, his death on the cross, we can be assured of a new life in the fullness of heaven. What a joy and hope it is for us as we continue to live in this world. This world is like the transition time of early spring. It has both good and bad in it. But our hope is for clear, bright warm sunny days ahead when "it is good to be alive". Heaven, for those who choose to go there, will be a wonderful place where we can enjoy God and each other for all eternity. There we will have new perfect bodies, perfect knowledge of all things. There will be no more pain or troubles for us to deal with for God will be with us always to provide for us. It is a wonderful thing to look forward to. Better than spring. The choice is up to us now. Do we want to go there or not? Jesus has said: "those who acknowledge me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven" The inverse is also true... If we ignore or reject Jesus in this life we have not assurance of salvation in the next, but then some like to ignore these things. If you are reading this, I hope that you will not be one of them. Claim and celebrate Jesus this Easter and have the hope and assurance of his promise... It is something worth truly rejoicing in.

Rev. Tijs, at St. Giles Presbyterian Church.

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