We were asked once why the gospel hall doesn’t hold an Easter service. Our simple reply is that the truth of the gospel is for every day of our lives. Now that the Easter eggs are off the shelves, and the children are enjoying the final week of the school holidays, it would be good for us to reflect on the big questions of life. These are not seasonal.
There was a man called Job who lived a long time ago but who asked four vital questions that are answered in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Job 14:4
Job was thinking about ‘man that is born of a woman’. The Bible teaches that ‘all have sinned’ Romans 5:12. Job’s question is about the cycle of life and how it can be possible for a child to be born into the world without sin, if the parents themselves have a sinful nature.
This question is answered in the birth of Christ – ‘the Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore that Holy One that shall be born of you shall be called, the Son of God’ Luke 1: 25
How should man be just with God? Job 9:1
If man is a sinner, what can he do to make himself right before God? This thinking underlines all religion. The Bible teaches that man can do nothing to make himself just in the sight of God.
This question is answered in the death of Christ – ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus’. Romans 3:23,24
If a man die shall he rise again? Job 14:14
These thoughts are brought before us every time we visit the hospital or stand by the graveside. We feel that death is such a waste. How can it be the end? Yes so many aske the question but do not find the answer.
This question is answered in the resurrection of Christ – ‘but now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so, in Christ shall all be made alive’. 1 Corinthians 15:21,22
Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat? Job 23:3
Job went in his thinking to the seat of God and longed to to know His great power in his life, so that ‘He would put strength in me’. All of us have things in our lives that we feel we cannot cope with. Life can be overwhelming and Job knew that better than most, as he had lost his business, his children and his health.
This question is answered in the ascension of Christ – ‘seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens…let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need’. Hebrews 4:15,16
The man or woman who finds the answer to these questions in Christ will have a truly happy Easter.