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Letter from Pastor Weidler-April 2010

 April 2010 “WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE!”

     As I sit in my office I can’t help but think of the words that serve as the title of this article, “What a Difference a Few Days Make!” Just two days ago a late, late winter storm rushed through with an all-day wet, wet snow that made us shake our heads. Today—barely 48 hours later—the temperature is in the mid 50’s, the snow is again all gone, and the skies are blue, blue. I sit and enjoy, but there is also fear. WILL IT LAST? HAS SPRING FINALLY SPRUNG? IS IT HERE TO STAY?

What a difference a few days make. It was Thursday. The party at Passover that seemed like Paradise had turned into the nightmare of the Passion. All the hopes and dreams (and schemes) of the disciples were dashed and had vanished into the darkness of the night, the darkness of men’s deeds, the darkness of evil, the darkness of Good Friday. The Lord was betrayed. The Lord was whipped, beaten, crucified. The dream (and the party) was over. The Lord, or Him they had thought to be the Lord, was dead.

AND THEN EASTER CAME! WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE! All was not lost, the victory instead was won. He was not dead …but alive…and so we, too, are alive and shall live forevermore. What a difference a few days make. An eternal difference and yet a difference that is felt every day of our lives. A hope that holds us in there during the difficult days and times because we know what a difference a few days make. Because of Easter we can abide in hope and live in the light even when all around us is dark.

It is the difference that shows up most starkly at the casket. We do not sorrow as those who have no hope. (1 Thess.4:13) Instead, “by His great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

     But that hope also affects us daily, “who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5) It revives and restores us daily. It says to us, “Hang in there. Wait. Hold your ground. Don’t waver. Be true. There is God. There is hope.” Whether we are at the bedside of a sick child or parent or spouse; whether we are having difficulties in relationships, in marriage, among family, at work…yes, even at church; whether we are having trouble making sense of it or working it all out or just plain having trouble or are in trouble….

     WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE! Easter makes a difference! It’s the difference between life and death, between sin and salvation, between Satan and a Savior. It’s the difference of God.

     Is there an Easter difference in your life? There can be. Would you like an Easter difference? Then give it up to God the Father, to Jesus whom He has sent, and to the Holy Spirit who by Word and Sacrament makes all that is Jesus’ yours.

     God will work His Easter difference in your heart. He will give His Easter difference for your life. Give Him the chance. Read your Scriptures. Worship Him with fellow saints. Take advantage of the pastors’ and teachers’ knowledge of the Word. Learn from them of Jesus. Receive the strength and support of fellow Christians.

Don’t say, “It’s too late!” or (just as bad) “I’ll start later, next year” or “It’ll take too long to learn to change to live this Easter life.”

Remember: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE!

Worship with us this Easter and then come back each week to stay strong in the fellowship of the Church, the Body of Christ here on earth.

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