“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid: I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” [Matthew 28:5-6 N.R.S.V.]

Jeremy was born with a twisted body, slow mind and a chronic, terminal illness that had been slowly taking his young life. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible. This meant sending him to the local St. Teresa’s Elementary School. At age twelve Jeremy was only in the second grade and his teacher Miss Miller often became exasperated when Jeremy seemed to not be able to grasp the lessons no matter how many times she explained them.

One Day Miss Miller called Jeremy’s parents in for a consultation. She suggested to them that they send Jeremy to a special school. With tears in her eyes, Jeremy’s mother explained that there was not a school equipped to handle Jeremy’s needs in the area and that it would upset Jeremy tremendously to have to change schools. After the consultation Miss Miller decided that no matter how hard her life was, she did not have half as many troubles as Jeremy and his family and resolved to be more patient and understanding.

As the year progressed Spring came and Easter was approaching. Miss Miller had told the story of Jesus death and resurrection to her class and came up with a special project. She gave each of the children an empty plastic egg and told them to fill it with something that represented the true meaning of Easter. As Miss Miller opened each egg she commented on the contents: whether it was a flower, a butterfly or a sprig of grass, Miss Miller commented on how each of these things showed new life as we have in Christ Jesus. When she opened the last egg it was empty. She remembered that she had not called Jeremy’s parents and explained the assignment. As she sat there, Jeremy said: “Aren’t you going to talk about my egg?” Miss Miller stated: “But Jeremy your egg is empty!” Jeremy looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes. But Jesus’ tomb was empty too!” Time stopped. Miss Miller asked Jeremy if he knew why the tomb was empty. He said: “Oh yes! Jesus died on the cross for our sins then His Father raised him up.” When the children were at recess Miss Miller cried knowing that Jeremy had truly learned the most important lesson of all. JESUS SAVES!!!

Richard

“For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God-not the results of works, so that no one may boast.”  [Ephesians 2:8-9 N.R.S.V.]

Easter comes late this year. Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent is March 1st. Lent is the season of the church year when we prepare ourselves for Easter. We remember the sacrifice our Lord Jesus made for us and in response we sacrifice something we like or we begin a new spiritual discipline. Overall, it is not usually the time we think that much about grace.

I read an interesting story the other day about a group of scholars who were debating what sets Christianity apart from the other religions of the world. With our age so concerned with multiculturalism and the rise of Islam, it is a debate that is really relevant and timely for today. However this exchange happened over fifty years ago.

The first answer proposed to the question of what is it exactly that makes Christianity different was he Incarnation. God with us was suggested. It was immediately pointed out that other religions, Buddhism for example, taught of a god living with humans. The next suggestion was resurrection. Christianity teaches that is another life beyond this one. However, both Islam and some forms of Judaism, believe in an afterlife as well.

At this point when the debate seemed hopelessly deadlocked, a young scholar name C.S. Lewis stood up and said: “It is grace. Christianity is the only one of the world’s religions that teaches us about God who loves enough to give us the gift of His grace and that is what makes it so different from all the rest.”

That is so true! Other religions teach that God is a stern judge or offer a rigid set of rules that must be obeyed. Or else they teach that salvation can be earned by what the believer does or does not do. In our text quoted above, the writer of Ephesians reminds us that in Christianity salvation is by grace, through faith, and that it is a gift from God.

Perhaps the greatest example of this gift of God’s grace is the Cross of Calvary. For it was there that God’s gift was freely given for “whosoever will” accept it. So maybe Lent is the perfect time of the year to think about and talk about grace.

So this year we prepare once again to remember the Easter event, let us open our hearts and minds to receive grace on top of grace, so that salvation can be ours: remembering that it is not the result of our works, so we have no right to boast. Rather it is the gift of God. God’s grace is offered to you. Receive it. Accept it. Use it. Live it.

Richard