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April, 2003 From My Heart... In just a few days Christians all over the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, one of the most significant events in all Christian history. The empty tomb contains a message with which the world still struggles. And, what is the message of the empty tomb? It is the message of HOPE in a hopeless world. Last year, Anita and I joined a medical mission team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was my fourth trip, and her first. As we made our way to the "favila" (the slum area) each morning for work at the clinic, one of the things Anita noticed that I had seen many times before, was what she called the "look of utter hopelessness". Yet, we did not have to go to Brazil to see it. Have you looked around lately? The look of helplessness is everywhere. But, with the words, "He is not here; He has risen; Why are you looking for the LIVING among the dead?", the world changed forever. There is hope even in the face of hopelessness, because of the empty tomb. It is the message of VICTORY in a defeated world. I have noticed something about us, especially when it comes to sporting events. We all want to be identified with a winner. The day following this year's Superbowl football game, it was reported that many stores completely sold out of all Tampa Bay Buccaneer products. Much of it was not necessarily because these people knew nothing about the Bucs. They simply wanted to be identified with a winner. Have you looked around lately? Have you ever seen so many defeated people, especially Christians? But, the hymn says, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow....and life is worth the living, just because He lives." There is victory for any defeat because of the empty tomb. It is message of LIFE for those who are dead in their sin. For many, life consists of little more than inhaling and exhaling, actually just existing. Yet, Jesus said, in John 10:10, He came to "give LIFE and give it to the full". Have you looked around lately? The look of death; the look of lifelessness on the part of believers is everywhere. Oh, how the message of the resurrection needs to be proclaimed afresh and new today. I look forward to the celebration of Easter. It brings about a "newness" that the world cannot give, but that the world cannot take away. Let me encourage you to re-discover the message of the empty tomb. Let me encourage you to fall in love (or fall in love again) with the Jesus of the empty tomb. Let Him turn your hopelessness into hope, your defeat into victory, and your deadness to new life. Anita and I want to wish you a wonderful Easter celebration. And, if you are looking for a place to worship on Easter Sunday, consider this your personal invitation to join us for one of the three worship services at Dixie Lee Baptist Church. God bless you. Jim Clayton |