| The Greatness of the Day
One of my little sisters was just learning to talk when the song “Boney Fingers” started playing endlessly on the radio. She loved the song. When the song would come on the radio, she would stand up and belt out at the top of her lungs, the refrain’s answer to the question, “Work your fingers to the bone, what do you get?” Boney fingers, boney fingers. Hoyte Axton & Renee Armand’s song captures the sense of futility that hits many people whose lives seem to be defined by one tragedy after another. When we endure difficulties, we naturally ask ourselves if the suffering is worth the outcome.
St. Paul asserted that the resurrection changes the equation of life. The resurrection offsets any frustrations that we might experience in life. He stated in 1 Corinthians 15 that we are to be pitied above all people if we do not believe in the resurrection. Without the resurrection, Christianity does not make sense. Christianity asks that we deny ourselves. It challenges us to move from a self-centered life to a life focused on others. Yet, if our only joy is to be found in this life, why should we willingly share one minute of our precious few hours with another person? If the world is nothing more than what we can see and experience, what benefit is Christ to us? Christianity truly is foolishness without the resurrection.
However, the reverse is equally true; life without Jesus and resurrection is utter foolishness. This world offers little to bring lasting joy, peace, and purpose. Age robs us of vigor and the ability to do the activities we loved as children. Taxes and inflation quickly deplete our hard-earned savings. Rust, bugs, and the normal wear and tear of life destroy the things that we treasure. The resurrection gives us the only eternal treasure that we can have in this life.
The resurrection means that Christ’s sacrifice for our sin was acceptable. His resurrection means that we are forgiven. Please note that Jesus’ sacrifice was made once, for all people’s sins, and for all time.
The resurrection means that we live a new life that is not bound by the futility of this world. In Ecclesiastes 1:3, Solomon asked what a person can accomplish with all his hard labor. He concluded that the only legitimate answer would be “nothing,” or, in the words of that infamous country song, “What do you get when you work your fingers to the bone? Boney fingers.”
The resurrection changes that. The new life we live through Jesus is a life of purpose. Because Jesus lives in us, we will make a lasting difference in the world around us. There will be brothers and sisters in Christ who are there because God used us to place them there. The resurrection means that we need never fear death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will never die” John 11:25. We will never die. Our bodies may die, but we will not die. We will live with the Father forever in His kingdom. We can live this life with the peace of knowing where we will go when God calls us home. The cross and the empty tomb are foolishness to the world. However, a world without them is not only foolish, it’s also just plain stupid. Join me in rejoicing in Christ’s victory and our victory through Him. |
Holy Week Service Times:
Through The Bible
Married People Discussion Group
Plan on joining us for an pancake breakfast on Easter Sunday, March 31st, between worship services, from 9:30am-11am. Our youth group families will be preparing and serving a pancake breakfast consisting of pancakes, sausage, fruit, danishes/pastries, juice, coffee, and tea. We are asking the congregation to help provide the food, so see the display in the lobby and sign up to bring something. We’re looking forward to a fun time as we gather to celebrate Easter!
April Craft Session
Financial Peace University
