A Glimpse – The Gambia

Easter, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, holds a profound significance for believers worldwide. Beyond its traditional observance, Easter offers a timeless message of hope, renewal, and redemption—a message that resonates deeply with every generation. In an era marked by uncertainty and rapid change, the timeless truths of Easter provide a steadfast anchor for young hearts seeking meaning and purpose.

In today’s fast-paced world, where digital distractions abound and societal norms constantly evolve, people often grapple with questions of identity, belonging, and purpose. Easter, with its celebration of Christ being raised from the dead, offers a totally cool story of how things change and get fresh again, a reminder of what really took place in Jerusalem that speaks directly to the challenges and aspirations of the current generation.

The Promise of a fresh start:

At the heart of Easter lies the promise of a fresh start, a promise fulfilled through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:8 (ESV), “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The crucifixion of Jesus, foretold in the scriptures, serves as the ultimate expression of God’s boundless mercy and grace, offering you the gift of reconciliation and forgiveness. Easter’s message offers the promise of a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose.

Hope Amidst Uncertainty:

In a world plagued by uncertainty and unrest, Easter offers a signal of hope. The resurrection of Jesus Christ reminds you that even in the darkest of times, there is light and life beyond the shadows. As you navigate the difficulties of modern life, the promise of Easter serves as a source of comfort and assurance, guiding you through moments of doubt and despair.
1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) : “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

The Promise of Eternal Life:

Easter holds forth the promise of eternal life, a hope that surpasses the boundaries of time and space. Jesus declares in John 11:25-26 (ESV), “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?. Through His resurrection, Jesus offers the assurance of life beyond the grave, inviting you into a relationship marked by joy, peace, and everlasting fellowship with God.

The Call to Renewal:

Easter extends a timeless invitation to renewal, a call to embrace the life-changing power of Christ’s resurrection in your own life. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Just as Christ emerged from the tomb in glorious resurrection, you too are invited to cast off the shackles of sin and embrace the abundant life that comes through faith in Him.

Conclusion:

As you journey through the Easter season, may you pause to reflect on the profound truths found within the Word of God. May you embrace the promise of redemption, rejoice in the triumph of resurrection, and respond to the call to renewal with a heart full of faith and gratitude. And may the timeless message of Easter continue to inspire and uplift you, bringing you even closer to the love and grace of our Risen Savior.

1 For we know that when this tent we live in—our body here on earth—is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever. 2 And now we sigh, so great is our desire that our home which comes from heaven should be put on over us; 3 by being clothed with it we shall not be without a body. 4 While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life. 5 God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.

6 So we are always full of courage. We know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord's home. 7 For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight. 8 We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord. 9 More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there. 10 For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life.

Friendship with God through Christ

11 We know what it means to fear the Lord, and so we try to persuade others. God knows us completely, and I hope that in your hearts you know me as well. 12 We are not trying again to recommend ourselves to you; rather, we are trying to give you a good reason to be proud of us, so that you will be able to answer those who boast about people's appearance and not about their character. 13 Are we really insane? It is for God's sake. Or are we sane? Then it is for your sake. 14 We are ruled by the love of Christ, now that we recognize that one man died for everyone, which means that they all share in his death. 15 He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but only for him who died and was raised to life for their sake.

Easter: The awesome story of how we're saved and brought back to life

16 No longer, then, do we judge anyone by human standards. Even if at one time we judged Christ according to human standards, we no longer do so. 17

Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. 18 All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. 19 Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends.

20 Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends! 21 Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.

1 Nous savons, en effet, que, si cette tente où nous habitons sur la terre est détruite, nous avons dans le ciel un édifice qui est l’ouvrage de Dieu, une demeure éternelle qui n’a pas été faite de main d’homme. 2 Aussi nous gémissons dans cette tente, désirant revêtir notre domicile céleste, 3 si du moins nous sommes trouvés vêtus et non pas nus. 4 Car tandis que nous sommes dans cette tente, nous gémissons, accablés, parce que nous voulons, non pas nous dépouiller, mais nous revêtir, afin que ce qui est mortel soit englouti par la vie. 5 Et celui qui nous a formés pour cela, c’est Dieu, qui nous a donné les arrhes de l’Esprit. 6 Nous sommes donc toujours pleins de confiance, et nous savons qu’en demeurant dans ce corps nous demeurons loin du Seigneur, 7 car nous marchons par la foi et non par la vue, 8 nous sommes pleins de confiance, et nous aimons mieux quitter ce corps et demeurer auprès du Seigneur. 9 C’est pour cela aussi que nous nous efforçons de lui être agréables, soit que nous demeurions dans ce corps, soit que nous le quittions. 10 Car il nous faut tous comparaître devant le tribunal de Christ, afin que chacun reçoive selon le bien ou le mal qu’il aura fait, étant dans son corps.

V. 11-21: cf. Ac 17:30, Ac 31. (Ro 5:8; Ac 6:2-13. 1 Co 6:19, 1 20. Ép 4:20-24.) Lu 24:47. 2 Co 6:1, 2 2.

11 Connaissant donc la crainte du Seigneur, nous cherchons à convaincre les hommes; Dieu nous connaît, et j’espère que dans vos consciences vous nous connaissez aussi. 12 Nous ne nous recommandons pas de nouveau nous-mêmes auprès de vous; mais nous vous donnons occasion de vous glorifier à notre sujet, afin que vous puissiez répondre à ceux qui tirent gloire de ce qui est dans les apparences et non dans le cœur. 13 En effet, si je suis hors de sens, c’est pour Dieu; si je suis de bon sens, c’est pour vous. 14 Car l’amour de Christ nous presse, parce que nous estimons que, si un seul est mort pour tous, tous donc sont morts; 15 et qu’il est mort pour tous, afin que ceux qui vivent ne vivent plus pour eux-mêmes, mais pour celui qui est mort et ressuscité pour eux. 16 Ainsi, dès maintenant, nous ne connaissons personne selon la chair; et si nous avons connu Christ selon la chair, maintenant nous ne le connaissons plus de cette manière. 17 Si quelqu’un est en Christ, il est une nouvelle créature. Les choses anciennes sont passées; voici, toutes choses sont devenues nouvelles. 18 Et tout cela vient de Dieu, qui nous a réconciliés avec lui par Christ, et qui nous a donné le ministère de la réconciliation. 19 Car Dieu était en Christ, réconciliant le monde avec lui-même, en n’imputant point aux hommes leurs offenses, et il a mis en nous la parole de la réconciliation. 20 Nous faisons donc les fonctions d’ambassadeurs pour Christ, comme si Dieu exhortait par nous; nous vous en supplions au nom de Christ: Soyez réconciliés avec Dieu! 21 Celui qui n’a point connu le péché, il l’a fait devenir péché pour nous, afin que nous devenions en lui justice de Dieu.