New Life by Tara Ulrich

The dirt covered snow melts away as the sun reflects on it. The ground gives way to new life as Spring beckons forth. Leaves returning to the trees, grass beginning to peak through the melting snow, the sound of birds returning from their winter migration, water puddles for children to gleefully play in. Growing up, this was also the time of the year when baby calves would be born. All of these returning signs reminding us all that a new season of life is once again dawning.
 
As the seasons change, new life proclaims that light not darkness and life not death have the ultimate word. So as the sun rises on Easter morning and shouts of “alleluia” permeate the air, the resurrection of Jesus opens the sky to the glory of new life. In the words of Clarence W. Hall, “Easter says you can put death in the grave, but it won’t stay there.” In other words, Jesus’ life, death, and ultimately resurrection change the world.
 
Jesus’ death transforms the world. It rouses a deaf world to the brokenness that is set before it. Jesus’ death opens our eyes and ears to see those who are in need in this broken fractured world. Jesus’ death beckons us to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us” even when that is easier said than done. Jesus’ death calls us to “do justice, love kindness and mercy and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8 NRSV)
 
In our Easter shouts of “Alleluia,” we proclaim our trust in the promise of this one who God sent into the world for each of us. “For God so loved the world that God sent God’s one and only son into the world for each of us (John 3:16)” God sent God’s son not to condemn the world, but to save it.
 
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3:16-17; The Message)
 
This amazing scandalous redeeming love springs forth with the promise of life eternal as we proclaim “Christ is risen; He is risen indeed. Alleluia!”

Tara Ulrich (@diakonia78) is a single ELCA Lutheran girl called to the ministry of Word and Service who loves the prairies of ND!  Jesus-Follower/Author/Sister/Friend. She blogs at prayingontheprairie.blogspot.com ​​