As Christians we assert what is true on the basis of God’s Word. When God speaks, there is no reason to equivocate. Our father in the faith Job knew this. That is why, even in the midst of such deep and bitter suffering, as not only had he lost all his possessions and his beloved children but also having his own flesh covered in painful sores, Job cries out against his friends, against his own flesh, and against the devil, “I KNOW that my redeemer lives! No matter what I see or feel or think, MY redeemer lives and so will I!” Yes, Job! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! That is a fact that God’s people will assert with all boldness and confidence until at last we all stand on the earth and with our own eyes look upon the one who was crucified. Our confidence lies in this Jesus who now lives, seated at the right hand of the Father, holding all authority in heaven and on earth in the hands that still bear the marks of the nails. And just as confidently as we bear witness to His resurrection, so we also rejoice that He has bestowed that resurrection upon us. The day He washed us in the waters of Holy Baptism He promised us a resurrection like His, a bodily resurrection to eternal life. We will not be angels or disembodied spirits in eternity. We will be us. We will look upon Jesus with the same eyes with which you are now reading this. Your whole being will be restored and every stain of sin that still clings to you now and harasses you and causes you to cry out in distress will be removed. This is the joy of the resurrection that we confidently assert every day when we arise and say, “I am baptized into Christ!” Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! I look forward to celebrating our Lord’s glorious resurrection with each of you this joyful Eastertide.
Pastor Ulmer