Easter and Rebirth

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     Today we celebrate the fact that God sent us an ambulance in the parking lot of life.  A lifeline in place of despair.  A love that was so pure, it brought us into the light and set us right with God and the world.  So we would be set free. Free to love God and other people with the same pure love that he showed us first. 
     He sent us back to the garden, the perfect original Eden, and brought Eden into the world again.  Eden here already and not yet.  Eden here already and "not yet" because we, now set free, could go about the business of bringing it to pass in this world.  He reconciled us with Him and all of creation.  So now we "wait and groan with all of creation for the Sons of God to be revealed" as they, as we, come to life.  Coming from lives of lost seeking, and spiritual confusion - spiritual death to spiritual life.  Spiritual bondage to spiritual freedom.  He came to set the captives free!
     Jesus at the start of his ministry read the scroll from the ancient Jewish scriptures and set the tone for his ministry on Earth, reading, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free."  And on Easter, he fulfilled this in one amazing act.
     Now we are set free to take our place as the Sons and Daughters of God.  To love and to accept the love he freely has given us, if we only believe it.  He lavishes his love on all, seekers, the lost, and the living.  And we are all free: all we have to do is realize it and accept his love.  Jesus, in that one amazing act of rising again from the tomb,completed this ministry on Earth and returned to his place next to God to watch over us and guide us into spiritual, emotional and physical life. It is good news for the poor, the oppressed, the lost, the hurting, and all of humanity!

     We celebrate all of this and all of its implications at the beginning of spring, during this time of rebirth of creation.  The flowers poke up from the warming ground.  The trees bud and flower.  It is a reflection of the glory of God and Jesus's one triumphant act.  Praise to him.  And thanks, Jesus.  Thank you for saving us.  For setting us free.

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