Art Maier: Easter story holds message worth believing
Although the day had brought some terrible events, evening in the old city of Jerusalem now came with ordinary peace.
Lights began to appear in the little square windows of houses along the quiet, shadowed streets. Warm spring breezes carried enticing aromas of cooking suppers. High above all the other city buildings, the stone tower of the magnificent Herod temple gradually vanished from sight, in a darkening sky.
So ended what is now known as Good Friday, the day a crowd saw the man called Jesus, or Christ, the Lord of the universe, suffer innocent execution.
The execution, though a gross miscarriage of justice, was expected. For about three years, this person, Christ, had been announcing news of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Miracles proved that here, certainly, was God in actual person. Details are given in all four New Testament gospel books.
For various reasons, some of the local authorities became angry with Christ's preaching and high celebrity status. They decided to act. There was an arrest, and the form of a trial, with a guilty verdict.
Jerusalem and the surrounding area of Israel were then part of the Roman Empire. Local authorities who wanted Christ killed now pressured the regional administrator of the Roman Empire to allow an execution.
At last, on this Friday, the Lord was nailed onto cross beams. Two real criminals also were crucified.
Burial was the same day. A wealthy man who believed Christ's message happened to have a vacant tomb, obviously for use in the future, for himself. The tomb was a cavity chamber, cut in a huge rock formation. The wealthy gentleman now donated this, for the cherished body.
Again, the Roman administrator was approached and was persuaded that the body of the celebrity Christ might be stolen. The administrator then gave permission to have the tomb guarded. A huge stone was put at the entrance of the tomb chamber, blocking it. Friday night passed, then Saturday and Saturday night. Dawn approached Sunday, as did Christ's great resurrection.
It came with noise and spectacle. A sudden earthquake made the ground shudder violently. Terrified guards saw a dazzling angel appear, go to the tomb and roll back the entrance stone. Christ now came out, Lord of all, and victorious over death.
The resurrection soon became widespread and happy news, as Christ appeared again and again to friends and to the public. He preached and performed miracles, as before.
After 40 days of appearances, Christ returned skyward to heaven. But, before leaving, he promised to come back, in glory and power.
Christ became his own living proof that he is the Lord, able to take the world's full sin punishment -- and live. It is part of the great Bible message, for you.
That message begins by telling us we sin. Because of our sin we deserve death, with never-ending punishment to follow.
Yet there is rescue. In loving care, God came to earth for us, born as the man, Christ. Through terrible suffering, Christ took the penalty of our sin. As Lord of life, Christ also returned from the grave, and now lives, indeed.
Anyone who has faith in Christ will receive free forgiveness of all sins. Believers in Christ will also have a future of life in heaven.
It is a message worth believing. Put faith in the living Christ and his forgiveness, now. Then, in this faith, look forward to the vast joys of heaven, your home with the Lord, forever.
Art Maier is a semi-retired teacher, environmental science specialist and calligrapher. He is a contributing editor to Pen World Magazine and has appeared regularly on the "Pepper & Friends" television show, demonstrating for hand disabled persons and others how to use pens. He is a regular columnist for the Boonville Daily News in Boonville, Mo. He can be contacted at artmaier@sbcglobal.net.