SHORT COMMUNICATION 259
Three Everlasting Victories
By
Roger Behra
In many parts of the world in different religions Easter Sunday is the most important day of celebration. In the Catholic religion it culminates Holy Week. All devout Christians are aware of the significance and victories achieved on the first Easter Day so long ago. It is by far so much more than the Easter Bunny, colored eggs, and chocolate, although those are important, also.
On the first Easter Sunday three important and lasting victories were consummated: the victory over death; the victory over evil; the victory of our salvation. These are the victories God the Father intended for us when He decided His only begotten Son must be born on Christmas Day, must die on Good Friday; and be resurrected on Easter Sunday. Everything went according to God’s plan. Those involved in the crucifixion of Jesus -the high Priest, Pilate, the soldiers, the Jewish guards- did not know how important the crucifixion would actually be for all mankind. They thought the death of Jesus would be the end of everything and their problems.
The first everlasting victory was over DEATH. Those guilty of crucifying Jesus did not believe that He would rise again from the dead in so much glory and be victorious over death forever. They were dumbfounded when they learned He rose again.
The second everlasting victory was over EVIL. So much evil was involved in the passion and crucifixion of Jesus between His condemnation and death on the cross. The intense evil included blows to head and stomach; kicks to His shoulders; bound with cords by the hair; spits in the face; flogged with specially designed whips; crowned with a specially designed crown of thorns. None of those involved in the cruel and severe beating realized that the man they beat so badly would later become their eternal judge in charge of their eternal salvation. That was the victory over evil.
The third e everlasting victory was a perfect one for mankind: the gift of eternal SALVATION. It was the main goal of the crucifixion. Without the greatest act of pure love for mankind, there would be no salvation. God the Father sacrificed His only begotten Son to guarantee our eternal salvation. That is why the crucifixion was the greatest act of love ever.
As we live our lives from day to day, we should very frequently and seriously ponder this fact and be seriously forever thankful. And we should show genuine thankfulness to God through daily Christian living as we keep all of the 10 Commandments. Our motto should be: Love God with our whole mind, heart, and actions, and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. It is the formula for happiness here on earth and a guarantee for a happy eternal life as well. Try it. It has been working since the first Easter Sunday.
R. B.
4-28-11