“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead!”” Matthew 28:5-7a NKJV

Flowers are blooming and the trees are budding and leafing out! Spring is here! My favorite season brings new life back to the earth. Deciduous trees and daffodils and wildflowers re-awaken after winter’s long cold slumber, grass greens and grows; new oak trees arise from the forest floor. Birds are busy building nests and laying eggs, bears stretch out of hibernation, tadpoles populate the pond, spring and its new life are here!

And during this season of new life on earth, Easter promises us new life in Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to die so that we might live and live life to the fullest. The old covenant was given to the people through Moses; the commandments, the laws, the sacrifices, the festivals, the temple. God gave guidelines for His people to live by and so that they could live in His love. But they (and us also) could not. God made plans for a new covenant.

The writers of the Old Testament and the prophets began to give hints of God’s new plan for all people.

“I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6b NKJV Isaiah’s prophecy says that God’s salvation, God’s new covenant, is for everyone!

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2 NKJV Micah tells us that the everlasting messiah, savior, would come out of Bethlehem.

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah tells us that the messiah will come humbly and riding on a donkey and that Jerusalem will rejoice and shout. A perfect picture of Palm Sunday!

“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, … Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” Isaiah 35:4a, 5-6a Isaiah also predicted some of the amazing miracles that would be performed by Jesus.

There are many, many more prophecies that told of the coming messiah. Prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. God’s new covenant was lovingly given to us by the willing sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He conquered death when He arose from the tomb on that long-ago Easter Sunday! We have new life, eternal life, because we embrace the new covenant with God, our Heavenly Father.

This week celebrate your new life in the new covenant as we celebrate Holy Week and the empty tomb of Easter!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we appreciate the new life of the spring season and the new life offered to all by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Blessings this Easter!