Easter Greetings From General Overseer

Earlier this week I was so blessed by the realization that we had entered one of the most special seasons of the year, the Easter week. Of course this is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter when all around the world people think about the work of our Savior as he moved toward the cross and then His resurrection. At times in western culture this week flies by us and we land on Easter Sunday morning scurrying to get into our special Easter dress. So I felt like sending a note to remind us all that this is our week as believers.

Commercialism has not completely overwhelmed this event and it still really belongs to us, the children of God. For the remaining days of this holy week, let's reflect on the meaning of this week and enjoy savoring the thoughts of our glorious Savior and what He has done for us in the Easter passion. Here are a few leading thoughts to draw us all along in this spiritual celebration:

Condescension
Christ chose to leave the eternal glory to come and be with us on earth, Emmanuel.

Incarnation
Christ not only came to us but He became one of us, so that He could be, at all points, tempted like we are.

Humiliation
Christ did not come as royalty, but to a low state of life. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Propitiation (Sacrifice and Payment)
Christ was further humiliated by hanging on the cross, a curse to the Jew. Yet John said, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." He is our sacrificial Lamb.

Resurrection
Christ rose, overcoming death, hell, and the grave as no other has ever done before to win our victory over the enemy and sin.

Ascension

Christ was seen of witnesses often, and then He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He lives to make intercession for us now and for ever.

As we think of this week, give thought to the triumphant entry and shout your "Hosannas" with all the saints this week. Hosanna holds the two part prayer:

1. Praise as we mean 'Hail to the King'
2. Petition, as our burdened hearts cry out 'save now.'

The Last Supper was the fore taste of how He would share his body and blood for the sins of all mankind, those that believe. Consider the fellowship we have with Christ now, like that of the disciples that night.

Gethsemane is the model of victory won before facing the foe, through prayer. Appreciate the struggle of Christ in the garden for us and His total dependence on time spent in the Father's presence as His solution.

The Betrayal, Trial, Mocking, Denial, and Scourging were all part of Christ' separation from all support to stand alone as the 'sin bearer.' You might want to read Isaiah 53 to reflect and honor the 'aloneness' our Lord endured for us.

Crucifixion was the bitter cup that brought victory. There He took the final step or separation from the Father as Isaiah wrote, 'for a moment have I forsaken thee.' God who could not look on sin as Christ took our sin on that cross to be the Lamb that was slain. Enjoy the Psalm 103 list of the blessings won for us in a pre-Christ praise for His work on the cross.

And Resurrection was the public announcement of the victory won at Calvary. He arose victorious, winning back what was lost at the other garden in Eden, never to release that dominion again. Looking toward Pentecost and His ascension also as praise points in this journey.
So as we continue to walk toward Easter Sunday morning, perhaps we could take these reflection points and meditate on them; making this the most special week of the year for we who fully believe that what happened on Calvary's cross that day truly did change the world and all the course of history.

Blessings!
Bishop Randall E. Howard
General Overseer