CHRIST IS RISEN!

  This name means a lot. Just like once in ancient Egypt, thanks to the sacrificial blood of the lamb the Angel of Death passed over the firstborn of the Israelite people, the Blood of Jesus Christ, shed on Calvary, delivered us from eternal destruction. Death is defeated and destroyed by Jesus Christ! We can read about the result of this victory in the Epistle to the Corinthians: “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2Corinthians 5:1)

  When Jesus Christ came into the world, it gave rise to the era of the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven. It started with the appearance of John the Baptist. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the Kingdom of God is being preached” (Luke 16:16) Here the Scripture, through the words of Jesus Christ, clearly tells us where the line lies beyond which the Old Testament becomes “Old”. Pay attention to the fact that the Old Testament says nothing about the Kingdom of God. This shows us a clear line that marks the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. As a characteristic feature of the New Testament, the preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven becomes prevalent.  “…that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)



  Looking at the chronicle describing the beginning of the Lord’s ministry, we can see that having been baptized, the Lord was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. It is exactly at this time that His ministry starts. “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17)

  After the Resurrection from the dead, during the 40 days the Lord appeared to His disciples, the subject He discussed with the Apostles was the Kingdom of Heaven. “After His suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)

  On these holidays, may the Lord grant this wonderful message of Victory to your heart, the Victory that opened a free entry to the Kingdom of Heaven for those, who through faith absorbed the good News of Salvation in their hearts.  “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” (Romans 1:8)

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!