Where does the human story begin?
Where does our story begin? Some will say, “It begins with the creation of the Earth.” Others claim that our beginning springs from Adam and Eve. And though these are certainly vital elements in the creation of mankind, God created all and His Old Testament Prophets told the people what to expect.
The New Testament helps us see these prophecies unfold just as the Prophets said!
I surmise that “our story begins” when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and gave His life that our sins were forgiven and as it says in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved Jesus was crucified and His body placed in a tomb, a tomb that could not hold Him, for on the third day He rose from the dead to fulfill a prophecy from the Old Testament written by David in Psalms 16:10. And then again, in the New Testament, John 2:19, he was asked by the Jews for a sign that would prove He was the Messiah.
Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!” And later in John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.” Jesus gave His life, on a cross there on Golgotha Hill, that our sins would be forgiven. And on the third day, He rose from the dead so that if we believe in Him and acknowledge our sins, praying for forgiveness and asking Him to guide our lives we would share eternal life in Heaven! “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Jesus became the perfect Passover sacrifice since he was crucified in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover. The Bible (John 1:29) shows that John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus coming toward him said, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” Christians honor the death and resurrection of Jesus as we celebrate Easter.
My Granddad, Papa Hop, would tell us that we could not save ourselves, that only Jesus could do that and that it was only through His Grace that we could receive that gift” For by Grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast!” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
This is a poem that I wrote to commemorate the Easter Celebration.
He Lives!
1 Corinthians 15:55 - O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Back from the war, he sat battered an’ worn,
he had found his way home.
Sunrise on a beautiful Easter Sunday morn,
an’ now he could cease to roam.
The valley shimmered in the early dawn,
unchanged throughout the years.
That ol’ river meandered an’ then was gone,
like the mist that disappears.
The hilltop showed above the valley’s gold,
a large oak stood alone.
The soldier quietly watched the scene unfold,
like a king atop his throne.
He’d rode away when “call to arms” came that night,
a thing he had to do.
He returned to naught but mem’rys of his plight,
an’ these he must subdue.
His mem’ry went back to a time long ago,
an’ heard his Mother’s song.
Bible stories she’d tell with her eyes all aglow,
an’ happy voice so strong.
Then the call had come, an’ he rode off to war,
but her song stayed with him.
Her stories would cause his spirits to soar,
when battle strife was grim.
But now she lay beneath that great oak tree,
as spring brought its glory.
He could hear her voice ringin’ proud an’ free,
proclaimin’ the Easter Story.
He could see Jesus nailed to that rugged cross,
where He cleansed away our sin.
An’ His was victory, not counted as loss,
our hearts, He’d live within!
Then he blinked a tear for his Mother’s love,
as he choked back a sob.
Her life was as pure as the unsoiled dove,
the Lord’s work was her job.
The rider removed his hat an’ thanked the Lord,
for dyin’ on that tree.
His death upon that Cross, tho mean an’ hard,
meant life for you an’ for me!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Oh, Holy Father, we thank you that Jesus’ death upon the Cross saved us from sins curse.
God Bless you and God Bless America