April 12

When I remember Easter as a kid, I cannot escape the "cantata's," as in all of the church's age group choirs assembled singing on the stage at the same time. (Believe me, there were years I wanted to escape.)

It was the only worship service my home church did twice that morning. It was the only worship service that required a Saturday rehearsal.

Sometimes I was so busy performing I lost the reason for the performance.

But on that first Easter, and amidst the shock of realizing someone had come back to life, some likely realized...

God had kept His promise to send a Savior.

Psalm 119:123 says, "My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise."

Generations, centuries, there were people waiting, waiting for God's promise to come true. Not everyone, but there were always some.

At times, those same promise watchers wanted something of a guarantee. They looked to God for hope.

The previous verse says, "Give your servant a pledge for good."

What was the promise?

Salvation. Not just a personal get-out-of-jail-free card, but a full and complete salvation. A salvation so comprehensive that it would totally change (renew) the entire world. A world finally released from the burden of sin.

And the pledge? Jesus rising to life again after being dead.

Today we celebrate the pledge (the guarantee) of who Jesus is and what He has done.

And we focus our attention on the fulfillment of the promise. That final day when we will celebrate Easter with the One who promised and delivered.

Our worship venue will be in a completely redesigned new heaven and earth.

And we'll have more than just one worship service.

And we'll all be in the choir.

He is risen!

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau