Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Easter is upon us. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. Since he walked out of the tomb, you can walk in newness of life.
There’s more to that story. In the lingo of the old Westerns, “There’s a new sheriff in town.” Christ was raised; and now everything must change.
Your first parents lived with God in a literal paradise. They rebelled against him on the first day of their existence and it’s been downhill since. As dogs give birth to puppies, and cats to kittens, so these two rebels brought forth a race of rebels, collectively shaking a fist at God.
They lived under a severe curse. They hit the ground running as those pre-disposed to do what’s wrong. They proved that none of Adam’s apples fell very far from his tree. Their miserable fight against the thought of actually obeying their Creator ended in an appointment with judgment.
For generations, whole nations full of people rose, and they all existed in the shadow of death. It loomed over the entire race like a vulture. Through fear of death, they lived their lives as spiritual slaves.
God gave them good rules to live by, which they promptly ignored, in favor of oppressing each other. The blood of the innocent slain ones polluted the whole land, lifting up a cry to heaven for justice.
Now every king has a right to forcibly put down insurrection within his own kingdom. God had that right as well. In fact, he exercised it on a number of occasions, at least partially, in the hope that the rest of us who survived would see it and gain wisdom. But, generally, we didn’t. We haven’t.
Then God sent a new King. He sent his Son, the Prince who stood to inherit all things. This one went around announcing the coming of a new kingdom. During his whole life, he succeeded where Adam failed. He obeyed God in all things. He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. He loudly announced glad tidings of great joy. It came with the news of freedom for the captive, sight to the blind, and new life for those dead in sin.
God the King, who had every right to destroy all the rebels, decided to love them instead. His Son volunteered to take their just punishment upon himself. Having gone willingly to the death of the cross, he was buried in a borrowed tomb.
On the first day of the week, the ground shook; the stone was rolled away; and the Son stepped out in shining glory. He achieved victory over the things that had held humanity in bondage: death and sin, judgment and rebellion.
He sent messengers as heralds to every nation, announcing the reign of a new King. There’s a new sheriff in town. Everything must change.
God is willing to overlook your former ignorance. The time that has passed is enough for you to have lived in rebellion. Enough! In his kindness and love for you, he presents you with terms of peace. Surrender unconditionally. Accept his grace and goodness. Take advantage of his free offer to forgive you. Find rest for your souls in the name of a risen Savior, who is humble and most merciful. You who are weary, come home.
Jesus lives. You can, too. Happy Easter.
Gordan Runyan is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari. Contact him at: