From the May 2019 STAR

I don’t know how true the story is—I would like it to be true, but I haven’t been able to find verification of the story.  The story is told that back in the 1920s—just after the Bolshevik Revolution established the Communists in power over Russia—a Soviet official visited a Russian Orthodox monastery. 

The official wanted the monks to understand that the Soviet man had no need of religion.  He lectured them about the superiority of the new ideas, Lenin’s Great Leap Forward and how those things promised by religion were being accomplished by the Party.  After he finished, he was greeted at first by silence.  He started to smile to himself, convinced that he had left them speechless. 

Easter’s news could not be stopped. Period.

Then, one of the monks shouted, “He is risen!”  The rest of the group shouted, “He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!”  Easter’s news could not be stopped by officials.  Easter’s news could not be stopped.  Period.

Mark tells us the women that first Easter said nothing to anyone.  That didn’t stop Easter’s news.  Luke tells us that the disciples didn’t know what to do with what the women told them, it seemed to them an idle tale.  That didn’t stop the news of Easter, either.  Whatever is going on in the world cannot stop the news.  Whatever is going in your world do not stop the news from being shared and heard.  Those things don’t win.  Jesus has had the victory.  He still does!

A friend of mine posted an article on his Facebook page the other day.  We’ve heard so much about the decline of Christianity in our culture recently.  Sometimes, it seems that those voices are right.  This article provided research contradicting those voices. The number of people who pray, who worship regularly, who believe God’s Word in the Bible remains consistent from generation to generation.  While the influence of Christians may be declining in Europe, the number of Christians in Asia, Africa and Latin America is multiplying.  Missionaries from Africa and Asia are being sent to Europe!  Easter’s news cannot be stopped!

So, continue to tell the story.  Let the story seep down into the details of your story and speak hope and forgiveness to your heart.  Let the story be lived in your actions and dealings with others as you share forgiveness and hope.  Easter’s news cannot be stopped!  He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!

Joy in the journey,

Pastor Jeff