Apr 4: Easter - "Alleluia!"

John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

1 Cor. 5:7-8
Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia!

Rom. 6:9-11
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia!
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Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

It has been a long, almost 50 days, my friends, since we have been able to say this word: Alleluia! Saying it brings a smile to my face, a freshness to my mouth. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Think of the pain and emptiness of the crucifixion and the tomb; it is gone!

Think of the waiting for Messiah; He is come!

Think of the fear we had of death; it is wiped away!

Think of the doubt, wondering if we would live with God in heaven for eternity; it is assured!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

The celebration of Easter is a time of renewal. Our sins are washed clean by the blood of Christ's sacrifice for us. Today, each of us is reminded of this renewal. Celebrate this newness as each of us are reborn. The happiness we feel today with our rebirth is no less than the same abundant joy we feel when a new baby arrives into the world.

What does this new birth, this cleansing arrival bring?

You can no longer be in darkness.

You can no longer be in a place which separates you from God.

You can no longer be without a Companion who is always with you.

Alleluia!

So, brothers and sisters, I leave you for a time, until we meet again. If you found peace or joy or love or inspiration from the words that were written here, words that were not mine, but which came through me to you as a gift from God, send the link along. The Living Water that is the Holy Spirit is most refreshing and renewing when it flows freely and does not sit, becoming stale. I send blessings in the name of the Risen Christ to you on this day. May you encourage each other in faith, and be encouraged. May you give love greatly, and reside in love. May you rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation, and live in peace. Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!!!!