Gospel for God’s Children by Linda Shields:
“God of the Living”
Easter has come, or more appropriately "Resurrection Sunday." The day Jesus rose from the dead. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have hope of life eternal. Our souls will live on with him in heaven. Jesus said, in Matthew 22: verses 31 - 32, "But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead- haven't you ever read the scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead." We have hope of life after death because of Jesus, and his rising from the dead.
Matthew 28, verse 2, says, "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His face shined like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women, ’Don't be afraid!’ he said. ’ I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.’ ”
1 John 4: 9 -10 says, "God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. "
Philippians 4: 9 says, "Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
This Easter, let us thank Jesus for his great love for us, he loves us so much he gave his life to take away our sins. We receive this eternal life from God by believing in his Son Jesus and asking for forgiveness of our sins. Then by having a relationship with Jesus, through daily prayer and reading God's word. Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and to be his friend? He is waiting. Revelations 3: 20 says, "Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. "
Let us thank Jesus for his love, forgiveness of our sins and life eternal in him. In him, we can also be included in "The God of the living "
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us, and giving your life for our sins. Please forgive us and be our friend. In your name we pray. Amen