THE GREAT NEWS

What was the greatest news that you have heard this year?

We are bombarded by the daily news that we heard and watched. The news on social media has created tremendous fear, anxiety, stress, and depression. In some places, they created chaos and hopelessness. If we focus on this bad news such as the number of people who positive for the coronavirus, the number of people who died, the number of people who are complaining about the food, and the discrimination issues…we become all exhausted. Why not focus more on the good news—that the number of recoveries is higher than the number of death.  In fact, the latest news as of April 10, 2020, by the WHO: coronavirus cases=1,696,248; the total number of deaths; 102,596; the total number of recoveries: 375,958. If we compare the number of death versus the number of recoveries, it is actually three times better. Would that give us hope that we will overcome this pandemic? Just like what happened in the 1918 Pandemic Flu the number of death was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide and they were able to surpass it. And I believe that we can also because we are designed to be victorious. This is the great news that I am about to share with you today. It is great news of victory—the great news.

What is this great news? 1 Corinthians 15:3

For what I received I passed on to you as of the first importance: that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, that HE WAS BURIED, that HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.

1.       Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures

When Paul said, “According to the Scriptures”, he was referring to the Old Testament, the writing of Moses, and the prophets, according to the Scripture promises, Scripture types, and Scripture prophecies particularly Genesis 3:15, Psalms 22;1-31, Isaiah 53:1-12, Daniel 9:24-27 which declare that his heel was to be bruised, that he should be brought to the dust of death, should pour out his soul unto death, and be stricken and cut off judicially, and that for sins, not his own, but for the sins of his people, to atone for them, procure the pardon of them, take them away, make an end of them, and abolish them, all which he has done, as the Gospel declares, and the apostle affirms, and thereby was accomplished what Moses and the prophets did say should come to pass (Bible Study Tools).

Going back to the creation account, God created man perfectly. He created male and female in His own image. These are the communicable attributes of God. When we say communicable attributes, these are the qualities of God that he shared with man. Man was created as an intellectual being—man can think. Man was created as a moral being—man can distinguish between what is right and wrong. Man was created as a spiritual being—man can commune with God personally. The man was created as a social being—man is not alone, and man needs God and a companion.

The first instruction or command was given in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17).  The first human being failed the first test when they disobeyed God. Instead of obeying God’s command, they were tempted into sin. Curse and death came into the scene. The serpent was cursed. Pain for labor was given to the woman while the man has to toil the ground to provide for his family. Spiritual death was applied immediately when they were banished to the Garden of Eden. The first human being died spiritually because they can no longer commune with a Holy God. Then physical death will soon follow because their physical body will soon deteriorate.

But God is love. He demonstrated his love when He executed the first sacrifice of an animal and made garments and clothes for Adam and Eve. According to many Bible scholars, this is a picture of Jesus Christ who will be a sacrifice for the atonement of sin.      

To sum up, the first human being was created in the image of God. This image was corrupted because of sin. Death is the punishment for sin. But God is love. He sent His Only Son to die for our sins. Instead of us being executed on the cross, He took all our sins and paid them on the cross.

2.       Christ was buried and resurrected on the third day according to the Scriptures

This means that He already paid the penalty for our sins. He died in our place and our sins were buried with Him in the tomb.  The Great News is He rose again on the third day. He conquered death. This is proof that Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One, and the Savior of this world from eternal death. If Jesus was not resurrected, our faith is useless. Our preaching is useless. Our gatherings and church activities are useless. We still remain sinners and we are all destined to die eternally. But this is not the case—He was resurrected. Jesus is alive! Our God is not dead.

Many of us today fear physical death. We mourn when someone died. It is the natural reaction of man. But physical death is the gate to eternal life for those who put their faith in Jesus—for those who are sure of their salvation. What we should desire while on earth is to have eternal life. Just like Paul, what he has received, he passed it also to the Corinthians; I am also passing this Great News to all of you, “CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, that HE WAS BURIED, that HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.” This is the Gospel—the great news.

The bad news is we are all sinners and we cannot save ourselves from eternal death (Ephesians 2:8). The great news, is there is ETERNAL LIFE in JESUS CHRIST ALONE (Romans 6:23).  Do you want to have eternal life?

TRUST IN JESUS ALONE. It is written, “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Trust is not only merely a word; it should be accompanied by the total surrender of your life to him.

Heavenly Father,

        Thank you for the great news. Thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. I need Him right now. I confess that  “Jesus is my Lord” and I believe in my heart that you raised Him from the dead after three days. Help me to turn from my sins and trust Him for my eternal life.

Lord Jesus, I now give my life to you. Be in control of my life. Help me to trust you and obey you in all areas of my life.