Creations Roars His Victory

‘From now on, you never know what God’s lifegiving power will achieve!’ It was, of course, a hint of what would come at the end of all things, the great final resurrection of which Paul and others speak.

Where is your happy place?

At times we need to find a place where we can “forget” about the things swirling around us. For many of us, myself included, one of our safe and happy places happens to outside, in God’s creation.

The world can be dangerous.

We saw this danger in a couple ways these past couple weeks: the fire at Notre Dame and the anniversary of the Columbine School shooting in Colorado 20 years ago. I remember hearing the news and watching what to my recollection was the first school shooting. Unfortunately, it would not be the last.

The youngest generation among us, known as Gen Z or Screeners, have grown up in a world where school shootings are “normal”. They have never known a world without war going on in the middle east and beyond. It is no surprise to me then that they will stick near their phones, watch others play video games, and are generally anxious, scared, and wondering when the next bad event will take place. They have been told over and over, “the world is not safe”.

As tragic as our “world tragedies” are for some of us this morning it is not what happens outside in a place we do not live but instead the personal tragedies and danger we face. The unexpected death of a loved one. The shutting down of the 2nd shift line at Honda in Marysville. The fire which destroyed your home. The thief who stole not just your things but your sense of safety. The bully at school, in the workplace, and at times the bully at church.

Where can we go to find safety and security in a growingly insecure world?

A secondary question:

Does Easter speak into the world we live in?

Creation is the first witness of Christ’s death.

This starts at around Noon as darkness covers the world. Matthew the writer of this Gospel does not want us to miss the role creation will play in witnessing and testifying to who Jesus is, and the power of his death.

Creation roars, God is approachable!

God is now approachable by common people like you and me.Creation makes it clear judgment is over! God did not come to judge you and let you know how horrible you are. Yes, we all sin, of which I am one of the greatest. However, your sin does not make you “damaged goods”. Your sin is not unredeemable. This is the hope of Easter. Creation roars the era of judgement is over. It is finished!

The veil is torn by God himself. Creation witnesses and then roars with victory. The effects of the curse are being undone. The separation between us and God is no longer in place. Instead God is available to all who would seek him. This is Good News!

Creation roars, the era of judgement is over!

Creation roars, the era of salvation is open to all!

Creation roars, freedom can be found!

The chains of life no longer have the last word. What are your chains? As the ground shook that friday afternoon the tombs were opened up. The final enemy was completely defeated. the veil was torn saying no longer would sin have the last word, the final sacrifice was given.

Creation roars, Christ is the Savior!

The centurion, a hardened man who had been part of my crucifixions has spent the afternoon listening to the testimony of Creation and comes to the realization that Christ was the Son of God. In other words, he is who he claimed to be, God in flesh. Creation was trying to state more than just a good man died. Yet, the centurion and others would only catch the fullness of what was taking place in 3 short days; when Christ rose from the grave. Our hope is not that Christ was the Son of God, but that he is the Son of God.

There is no Easter without a crucified Lord.

Paul talks in the book of Philippians about knowing Christ—the crucified Lord. He does not, nor can I, downplay the Resurrection but we can focus so much on the Empty Tomb that we forget about the one who created the empty tomb.

There is no Lord without the resurrection.

Yet, the Resurrection proves Jesus is who he said he is: he is God, the Messiah! I do not pretend to completely understand everything in the Bible but I do believe with absolute certainty Christ is God and He claimed to be.

Creation is a daily reminder there is a God!

Romans 1:19–20 NIV

since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Creation points us to Christ!

Creation, and Easter, remind us there is always hope!

Paul talks about it in Romans where creation is waiting for the future as a women beginning child birth waits for the baby to arrive.

Matthew: A Commentary, Volume 2: The Churchbook, Matthew 13–28 The Prodigia, 27:51–54[56] by Frederick Bruner

Not only is Jesus’ death strong enough to split the veil of the Holy of Holies and so cancel sin; it is also strong enough to open tombs and so cancel death. Sin and death are humanity’s two greatest problems, and Jesus’ death conquers both.

Next Steps

1. Confess Jesus as Lord and follow Him.

2. Continue to discover who Jesus is.

3. Commit to being part of a faith community.

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