Eastertide 2013

“I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

John 16:22

And it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him…

Luke 24:30-1

Now let the heavens be joyful!

Let earth her song begin!

Let the round world keep triumph,

And all that is therein!

Let all things seen and unseen

Their notes in gladness blend,

For Christ the Lord hath risen,

Our joy that hath no end.

JOHN of Damascus-760AD

If you come to seek His face, not in the empty sepulchre, but in the living power of His presence, as indeed realizing that He has finished His glorious work, and is alive forevermore, then your hearts will be full of true Easter joy, and that joy will shed itself abroad in your homes.  And let your joy not end with the hymns and the prayers and the communions in His house.  Take with you the joy of Easter to the home, and make that home bright with more unselfish love, more hearty service; take it into your work, and do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; take it to your heart, and let that heart rise anew on Easter wings to a higher, a gladder, and fuller life; take it to the dear grave-side and say there the two words "Jesus lives!" and find in them the secret of calm expectation, and hope of eternal reunion.

JOHN ELLERTON

1826-1893

There are no marks of the crown of thorns upon His Brow, yet He looks more than ever a King!  The placid sunrise is beautiful, but there is not half so much quiet beauty about it as reigns over that ineffably sweet Face.  O look into His Eyes; what a depth of love, what a tenderness, yet what an overwhelming power of love!  In His Easter joy, He thought of us and of our salvation, of each one of us by name and look; He will know that joy again when we come before Him, to rest forever in His presence.

F.W. FABER

1815-1863