For a little while, we may grieve and sorrow - though we still have hope because we know Jesus rose from the dead and will return to raise us up and give us the everlasting joys of heaven. But, in a little while, when Jesus comes again, we shall rejoice with joy inexpressible!

The apostle’s message, the true gospel, is that we are complete in Jesus – our salvation and everlasting life are certain in Him – there is nothing we need add to His redemptive work!

Are you walking in the light or in darkness? Sad to say, many, even among professing Christians, are walking in darkness. To continue on in darkness leads to death! To walk in the light leads to forgiveness and life everlasting!

This parable of Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a man who sows his seed and waits until the seed, of itself, springs up and grows, maturing until the harvest. Then the farmer puts in the sickle for the harvest. The farmer can only sow good seed, cultivate the crops, and wait for the fruit to mature. He himself cannot make the seed grow and produce fruit.

Jesus gave to His disciples the Holy Spirit and a task to carry out — to preach “repentance and remission of sins” in Jesus’ name “among all nations,” beginning right where they were, in Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-47; cf. Matt. 28:16-20). They were to forgive the sins of the penitent and retain the sins of the impenitent as long as they did not repent.

Instead of being judged and condemned for our own sins, God judged and condemned His own holy and innocent Son and He offers and gives to us, through faith in Christ, pardon and peace with Him. What could be more beautiful to the lost and condemned sinner!

Easter Worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rogers, Ark.

Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this Sunday. And, indeed, the bodily resurrection of Jesus is the key doctrine of the Christian faith upon which all else stands or falls.