Dummy’s guide to Easter story

THERE was a time when everyone seemed to know the real Easter message. Not so anymore. Most know it’s got something to do with religion and Jesus and the cross and the resurrection.

But focus has shifted to the Easter Bunny, overindulging in chocolate and enjoying another long weekend.

So what is the real Easter message? The Bible claims there is a Heaven or Paradise, there is eternal life and death, there is a Judgement Day to come.

Like gravity, it doesn’t depend on whether you believe it or not. It just is.

The entry ticket to heaven is just as well defined. It’s called righteousness, which means being right with God.

Some pursue righteousness through good behaviour (at least better than most). Some try religion and rules or rituals and traditions.

But … and this is a big but …none has ever worked. Our righteousness is just not right enough God’s standards are just too holy.

The Good News (or Gospel), is simply that Jesus did what we couldn’t. At Christmas, we celebrate His miraculous birth and at Easter, the two critical components of God’s rescue mission were fulfilled.

First, the judgement for our sin which is remembered on Good

Friday - Jesus literally and sacrificially took the punishment of death for our sin upon His innocent body because of God’s great love for those He has created.

On Easter Sunday, we remember His resurrection back to life, the proof of His innocence and wedding gift to us.

Faith in His Lordship literally unites us with Jesus just like a marriage what is mine becomes His (my guilt, sin and shame which get nailed to the cross and paid for by His blood), and what is His becomes mine (His resurrection, eternal life and Heaven).

In other words, we are given Jesus’ righteousness instead of desperately trying to earn our own. No wonder it’s called Good News.

And that’s why Easter eggs are really not a big thing to a Jesus follower. Celebrating what He has accomplished is.

Amandla Esiphambano

Ukuphanyekwa komuntu esiphambanweni kudala kwakuyindlela yokujezisa izigqila, izelelesi, ababulali nabakhapheli.

Lelisiko laqala ngesikhathi sokubusa kuka Alexander the great, waliqhubezela eGibhithe nase Carthage.

Umbuso wamaRoma walithatha lelisiko kuma Carthaginians, ama Roma alenzisisa ngendlela yokuthi umuntu wayefa ukufa okuyihlazo ezwa ubuhlungu efa kancane kancane.

Ngesikhathi seNkosi uJesu simthola ephanyekwe nezelelesi ezimbili, NgokukaLuka 23:39-40, babecabanga ukuthi baphanyeka umuntu nje ophazamisa ukuthula kwabo babengazi ukuthi isiphambano kwakuyindlela eyayihlelwe uNkulunkulu ngoJesu ukuthi abuyisane nomuntu, abaprofethi abadala abafana no Isaya bakhulumile ngaso isiphambano, ku-Izaya 53:1-5.

"Ngubani owakholwa ngesikuzwileyo ingalo kaJehova yambulelwa bani na? Ngokuba yakhula njengehlumela phambi kwakhe, nanjengempande emhlabathini owomileyo, yayingenasimo nabuhle ukube siyibuke, yayingabukeki ukuba siyifune. Yayideliwe yashiywa ngabantu umuntu wobuhlungu owazi ukugula.

“Kepha yazithwala izifo zethu yabetshatha ubuhlungu bethu kodwa thina sathi ijezisiwe, ishaywe

Pastor Brent Brading Outlook Church When fishes flew and forests walked and figs grew upon thorn, some moment when the moon was blood then surely I was born. With monstrous head and sickening cry and ears like errant wings, the devil’s walking parody on all four-footed things. The tattered outlaw of the earth, of ancient crooked will; Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb, I keep my secret still. Fools! For I also had my hour; One far fierce hour and sweet: There was a shout about my ears, and palms before my feet. “Mina ngingukuvuka nokuphila; okholwa yimi, noma efa, wophila. Nalowo ophila, akholwe yimi, kasoze afa naphakade. Uyakholwa yilokho na?” Jesus sê vir haar: Ek is die opstanding en die lewe; wie in My glo, sal lewe al het hy ook gesterwe; en elkeen wat lewe en in My glo, sal nooit sterwe tot in ewigheid nie. Glo jy dit? Jacques Janse van Rensburg Pastoor by AGS Richardsbaai Pastor ME Vilane AFM Glorious House of God (Pongola) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”