Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
This past Sunday, Christians all around the world celebrated the greatest triumph in history – the resurrection of Jesus Christ that defeated sin and death forever. That glorious event followed the greatest betrayal and sacrifice in history the previous Friday, when Jesus was unjustly accused, beaten, and crucified on Calvary.
As I read about the Easter Sunday terrorist attack in Pakistan that targeted Christians celebrating the resurrection, I couldn’t help but think that those who were martyred for their faith in Christ are now celebrating Easter like never before! What we read about in God’s Word and what we sing about in our Easter services, they are experiencing in the presence of God, among the saints who have gone before.
With daily reports of evil on a global scale, it can be easy for us to become discouraged, even turning our backs on others’ suffering when we’ve simply had enough. In the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection, the contrast between death and life is likewise unmistakable and abrupt. Disciples who had enthusiastically joined with Jesus and followed Him as teacher and Lord ran away in fear when He was killed, only to be overjoyed on Sunday and the days after as they personally encountered the resurrected Jesus.
Easter reminds us every year that death must precede life; death of our physical bodies leads to eternal life in heaven for those who believe, and death of our sinful nature leads to living for Jesus while we’re still here.
As a ministry, we believe it is our purpose to share the Gospel with as many people as possible so they too can experience what the first disciples did: a transformation from spiritual death into eternal life through the blood of Jesus.
The food you package at a Packathon can only meet short-term physical needs, but it is used as a powerful tool to gain access for the Gospel around the world. While we are certainly called to care for the poor and feed people in Jesus’ name (Deut. 15:11; Mat. 25:31-46; Acts 6:1-6), we would have failed our mission if we didn’t also show people the spiritual food that never perishes: the salvation found in Jesus Christ. Every meal that our partners distribute is one more opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone in need, and in so doing, explain that Jesus is the true Bread of Life.
During this week after Easter, we ask that you would pray for us as a ministry and for all of our dedicated volunteers, that we would continue to focus on feeding people both spiritually and physically as long as God allows. May the Resurrection and the Life we celebrate at Easter be your reason to serve Him and serve others!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened Paradise, Alleluia!
(words by Charles Wesley)
Matthew Byrd | Ministry Advancement Team
