Easter Blessings, Part Two

Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
A friend asked me recently, "Why is Easter so important?" Aside from all the hoopla about the Easter bunny and the hunt for Easter eggs. The single most important fact about Easter is the celebration of the Day that changed history. The day Jesus Christ rose from the grave. In doing so, He defeated Death and became the offering for sin. All humanity needs to do is recognize Jesus died to save us because of His great Love for us. If we believe that and accept Him into our lives as Lord and Savior we will have eternal life.
Easter then, is the fulfillment of God's Promise to humanity. The promise of salvation foretold in the Bible. But Easter is more than that, it is the anticipation of Christians, scholars and the whole world who look for the Day when Jesus Christ returns to bring a true, lasting Peace to this globe. With expectant hope, humanity's gaze turns to the eastern wall of Jerusalem, in Israel. It is said, in the Old Testament, that on that day Jesus Christ will ride through the Eastern Gate of the city. What a day, what a glorious day that will be!
Here is a poem that accurately describes the scene and sums up my feelings for the event that could happen at any moment.

The Eastern Gate
Withe current Israeli-Jordanian talks completed, Peace was made
and though the plans of war by mortal men were delayed
the leaders still made history, for all could see
the fulfillment of prophecy.
With this in mind
we must be conscious of the time
for the day approaches fast
when the final die will be cast
and the efforts of those who are crazed for war
will find instead the world's desire for lasting peace, soar
and the alliances the terrorists would form
at best, lukewarm.
It is then, all eyes will turn towards the Eastern Gate
for the world's hopes and dreams will be realized as on that appointed date
all will lift their voices in praise to sing,
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Our Messiah has come to reign!"

Written on:
August 10, 1994.

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie