Acts 4:32–35

The full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. ³³And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

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A week ago Sunday, we celebrated the greatest day in world history.  Easter Sunday may be over for the year, but Easter is not.  The truth is that every Sunday is a “little” Easter.  The reason Christians worship on Sunday is because Jesus rose from the dead on the “first day of the week.”   For the Church, Easter still matters.  Easter, the resurrection of our Lord, made a big difference in the lives of the first Christians who believed it, “they had everything in common” (32).  People sold (34b) their property and gave the money to the Apostles and “There was not a needy person among them” (34).  These days, “What is mine, is mine” is more common.  If you are in need, I hope that I will do something to help, but that is not a sure thing.  After all, I do have needs too, bills to pay, stuff to buy, lots of stuff.  For many people their thinking all centers on ME, not you, not even God, ME.  That is how Satan first tempted Eve—by replacing God with herself, “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).  The devil still uses that same lie today, and human beings keep falling for it.  It is mine, I earned it, I bought it, and will do what I want with it.  It is mine!  But that is a lie.  Everything we have in life depends on the goodness and gifts of God.  All our talents, our opportunities, our successes are all the result of what God has done for us.  Paul was not wrong when he wrote to Timothy, “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out” (1 Timothy 6:7).  And Eve discovered, too late, that Satan’s temptation was a dead end—literally.  We all figure it out sooner or later.  The wages of sin is death!  It all ends in the grave. Or maybe not.

Jesus Christ is alive; He is risen from the dead.  That is the difference Easter makes!  Christ’s crucifixion overcame sin, because He took the sin of the world upon Himself; starting with the sin of Eve, then Adam, and then every one of their descendants, including you and me and those yet to come.  Though the wages of sin is death, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  Jesus paid the wages of sin; death—is now defeated.

Because of Easter, those first Christians, “the full number of those who believed [and] were of one heart and soul” (4:32) could respond as they did to the needs of other.  The Gospel message created in them concern for the temporal well-being of others.  Easter took them out of themselves and into a community of love and sharing.  Easter means something for the Church today; it makes a difference in the lives of those who believe it. Our physical needs may not be as pressing today  yet, we all need the basics, air, water, and food. In addition to those, we still need respect, companionship, purpose, and security.  And since God takes care of us, we can take care of others, especially when life brings challenges.  The message of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection changed their lives, and it is still changing lives today.  The power of the Holy Spirit is in the “testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” which continues to give “great grace” to all who hear and believe it!  Jesus is risen from the dead.  Jesus is the LIFE CHANGER! To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.  May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Cheyenne Wells, CO, 80810-0728

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